Did Holmes violate Board Policy ADD?

At the February 23, 2021 Board Meeting trustee-elect Teresa Holmes gave an extended report of the ad hoc committee on education.

During her report from her seat, she did not wear a face covering.

When you read Policy ADD, it is written so that face coverings must be worn "at any time when physical distancing is not possible or optimal and while conducting business on behalf of the district..."

This Policy is carelessly worded by use of the word "and". What if "physical distancing" is possible, such as at board meetings? Does this mean no mask need be worn at all at board meetings, by any board member, superintendent, staff or visitor? 

But then "while conducting business" is part of the policy. Does the word "and" make it unnecessary or impossible to comply with the policy?

If the board is conducting business at a meeting and physical distancing is possible, no masks need be worn.

Or does the Policy mean that, whether or not physical distancing is possible, then face coverings must be worn "while conducting business on behalf of the district" while in indoor common (school property) areas?

All the board members and the superintendent wear masks, EXCEPT TERESA HOLMES. She refuses and, instead, wears a face shield. If she sneezes or coughs, will she infect everyone?

A face shield is allowed as an accommodation. Did she request an accommodation in writing? And was her request approved? By whom? Was there a board vote? Only the board (majority) can permit an exception to the board policy. One member (ex., the Chair) cannot; the superintendent cannot.

The exceptions to the Policy "may include, but are not limited to," 1) eating/drinking; 2) working alone in a classroom/office/workspace; 3) administration of medication.

Are there unstated exceptions? There shouldn't be.

Clearly, Holmes did not meet any of the exceptions at the Board meeting, so she should have been wearing a face covering. Why was she not admonished? What are the consequences for violating a Board Policy?

What do you know about BLM? Antifa?

This new book by Andy Ngo is a must-read. 

If you think you know what Black Lives Matters (BLM) stands for or what antifa is, read this book. Learn the history behind these movements and organizations. Learn what they really represent.

Learn why you, regardless of your skin color, must know how to prevent them from gaining a greater foothold.

In Richland 2 you hear a lot about culture, diversity, inclusion, critical theory; equity, racial justice, but do you understand what is driving this talk?

If you value liberty, freedom, your rights, you owe it to yourself to educate yourself fully. Inquire into the history, so that you will be best prepared to argue against any possible indoctrination of students in Richland 2 schools.

Learn how antifa converts a peaceful demonstration into a violent protest and riot. 

Be ready so that you will know what to do, if you find yourself in a mob or in your car swarmed by a bunch of thugs. How will you defend yourself and those with you? Have a plan. Know your plan. What will you do? What will you not do?

Will you stand by and, one day, find democracy destroyed in America?

Buy and read this book now.

T. Holmes - So proud, but ...

Richland 2 school board trustee-elect Teresa Holmes is oh, so proud of "participating in taping" her part in a PSA for Richland 2 about the COVID-19 vaccine. Why is Richland 2 wasting any time and money on such a PSA? Let DHEC put out information.

She has plenty of time on her hands to make many posts on Facebook as "Dr. Teresa Holmes". I can't help wondering if any are after-hours. The one about her PSA was posted on February 22 at 1:10PM. Wasn't that a workday?

All are reminded that Holmes is not a doctor. She, like "Dr. Jill Biden", holds an educational degree, not one from a medical school. Of course, a little thing like that won't keep her from speaking with great authority about a medical issue, COVID-19.

Check out her picture on Facebook under the hot studio lights. Note especially that she is not wearing any face-covering - neither a mask nor a face shield.

At school board meetings she refuses to wear a face mask, even though every other board member and the superintendent do. (Dr. Elkins (now Dr. Scott) won't attend board meetings because Holmes won't wear a mask.)

Isn't she special?

Feb. 23 Board Meeting - disgusting

Two hours 56 minutes??? Seriously???

As I began watching the replay of last night's board meeting, the first thing I noticed was the nine-minute absence of activity on the recording. At least, there was the courtesy of a notice that the board was still in executive session. The meeting was called to order (00:09:16). The Board Chair did not announce the time at which he was calling to order the re-convened public session, but he did ask for a motion regarding the ending of the executive session. Perhaps it's just careless editing of the recording.

Either no one was listening to him, or all were tongue-tied. Every one of them knows that a request for a motion means a motion is needed. Why is there any delay in making a motion? There must have been a question from a board member about the ending time of the executive session, because Mr. Manning said it was 5:38. Trustee-elect McKie made the motion.

The Board should include the time at which the public session is called to order. And there should be a roll call at every meeting, along with statement that a quorum is present (if it is). There is no need for a motion to end the executive session.

The person scheduled to give the Inspirational Moment had not arrived, and the Chair asked that the agenda be adjusted. It could have been handled much more smoothly and professionally. The Pledge of Allegiance should have been kept at the beginning of the meeting and only the Inspirational Moment moved down or skipped.

McKie admitted that she blew her responsibility of informing the speaker what time to arrive. Seriously? That's part of her duty to do that  How could she blow up that simple step?

Dr. Elkins is now Dr. Scott. (She was out-of-order to mention that while the board was voting.)

The superintendent informed the Chair that Public Participation had been skipped. Why didn't the Vice-Chair or the Secretary speak up? 

Parent Gary Ginn spoke and asked the District to get the kids back in school five days/week.

Jeff Remmer spoke on sports return-to-play.

McKie went on a tirade before actually introducing the speaker for the Inspirational Moment. I suggest that the Chair replace her and select a board member who will give a brief introduction and let the speaker talk for two-three minutes. Unfortunately, McKie likes to hear herself talk, and no one shuts her down. How long was her introduction last night? THREE MINUTES, 13 SECONDS !!! 

After Principal Jackson's 5½-minute inspirational "moment" the meeting continued. (0:33:58)

At this point I skipped ahead to the end of the report by Trustee-elect Holmes on the ad-hoc committee on education. (2:13:00) WHY WAS SHE NOT WEARING A MASK OR FACE SHIELD? Holmes is trying hard to recruit McFadden to "the Squad", interrupting to "make sure" that kudos got out for McKie and McFadden's being on the ad hoc committee.

(2:15:28) Discussion of draft agenda for March 9 board meeting began.

(2:17:21) Trustee Agostini made a Motion to rescind authority of Board Chair and superintendent to change the start time of board meetings. The authority granted in 2020 was due to the state of emergency. McKie made a useless comment about the pandemic. Apparently, she cannot distinguish between pandemic and "state of emergency". McKie led "the Squad" in arguing against Agostini's motion, and the Chair bashed Agostini for referring to the SCSBA and state law without advance notice to the board. The motion failed, 2-5. No surprise there.

(2:26:48) Next, Agostini asked for the face-covering Policy ADD to be added to the agenda for review at the next board meeting. Then formal procedure dissolved into rebuttal by the Chair before there was a Second. Immediately after the motion was made, Chair Manning began discussion with "My concern..." Then Trustee Scott (Elkins) spoke up and told the Chair that the Board has the right to ask for an agenda item and the Chair shouldn't try to quash it. Scott asked for a Second and a vote. (She should have just seconded the Motion.) Manning insisted he has the right to avoid hashing over issues over and over; he doesn't. He is merely one board member; no exceptional authority exists in his role as Chair.

You don't want to run into Teresa Holmes in a dark alley some night. She was nasty, when she tried to jam her opinion down the board's collective throats about some SCSBA meeting in Hilton Head last week-end. Right, Teresa. There is a pandemic. There are real issues. So wear a mask! If you want to wear a face shield, fine; but wear a mask. If you cough or sneeze, you will infect the whole room. WEAR A MASK!

Manning didn't shut down Holmes when she accused one board member of "showboating" (2:31:20) for "one particular person's ego". 

Holmes should have recused herself on the motion, because SHE is the one at whom the motion is aimed. Holmes prefers to wear a face shield and no mask.

Manning called on Trustee Scott and told her that Robert's Rules of Order allows two times to speak (I don't think it limits the number of times, but a speaker must wait a turn if others want to speak)

Caution-Parker weighed in and addressed Agostini directly, which is out of order. Her comments are to be made to the Chair.

And still, all the discussion was before there was a Second!!! Agostini raised this point, and Manning said that Trustee Scott had seconded the motion. (2:36:20) There was no second.

Manning called for a hand vote whether to pass Agostini's motion. All is favor? 2. All opposed? 4. Abstain: 1. Manning incorrectly reported the vote as Failed, saying "one abstention, two nays, and the remainder (4) Aye" (2:37:20). That would make the motion Pass. The superintendent corrected Manning's recitation of the vote result.

I gave up here...

The Voice Nails R2 Board

The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County laid into the Richland 2 School Board about its February 9, 2021 board meeting. You can read that paper's February 18th article right here.

What went on at that meeting bears close scrutiny by the public.

Board members are having trouble getting items added to the agenda for a subsequent board meeting. One problem is that board members do not understand Robert's Rules of Order and how the Rules apply in conjunction with Board Policies. Their lack of specific knowledge puts them at a disadvantage when dealing with the Board Chair and the Superintendent, who also don't fully understand either.

Board members seem reluctant to argue forcefully for following correct procedures, because they don't really understand correct procedures. 

For example, when a board member makes a motion, the next step is a second. Until there is a second, there should not be any discussion. 

Board members should support any member who makes a motion on any item. Unless it's "Don't try to confuse me with facts; my mind is made up."

After a second to the motion, then there is discussion. This should be discussion by the Board. Too often, the superintendent leaps in with "Point of personal privilege" and then he continues as if he is entitled to continue speaking. He is not! The Chair should stop him, but he doesn't. 

After the Board has discussed a seconded Motion, then (and only then) should the superintendent provide any input that it wanted. And only after the Chair has recognized the superintendent to speak. 

The Board should insist that this process is followed. When it's not, a board member should object by saying, "Point of Order." 

Discussion then stops until the Point-of-Order is discussed and resolved.

Read the article on www.BlythewoodOnline.com or on the paper's Facebook page.

The ending of that article reminded me of Pres. Biden's call for "unity". His version of unity is that everybody should agree with him. That isn't how unity works. If Richland 2 wants unity, agreement, harmony, cohesiveness among board members, it needs some strong coaching, guidance, advice from experts who will just tell them the truth.

Fort Worth PAC seeks to hold school board accountable

Imagine that. A school board being held accountable! Who could have such an outrageous idea?

Listen to this podcast that features John Pritchett, a consultant who founded Focus on Students PAC. It is on today's email from The Daily Signal, part of The Heritage Foundation.

Richland 2's school board has seven members who oversee administration of an annual budget of over $300,000,000. That's 300 MILLION dollars. 

Now go and look at the qualifications, education, management background, financial expertise of the members of the Richland 2 School Board. (That won't take you very long.)

Then you'll realize that school board members don't need to be qualified for the job. They just need to be on the top of the heap on Election Day. Pitiful, right?

Pritchett mentions Critical Race Theory and how it might be a pet project of certain board members. (Is that happening here?) Pritchett talks about the board's not holding their superintendent accountable and how the superintendent is flying around the country giving speeches. 

From Baron Davis' 2020 Statement of Economic Interests Report filed March 9, 2020 with the South Carolina Ethics Commission, he picked up a $4,500 fee as a panelist on July 18, 2019 in Philadelphia from ERDI. ERDI is the Education Research and Development Institute. Learn here what the Charlotte Observer had to say about ERDI on October 16, 2019, when its reporter wrote "The Education Research and Development Institute has been in the news for its questionable relationship with school administrators." Be sure to watch the reporter's video about ERDI.

Pritchett speaks about the need for "intentional culture" from a responsible school board to the superintendent to the principals. 

In Richland 2 the Board does not direct the superintendent. The majority of the board (the Squad) just lets the superintendent run the show, and one board member has said on several occasions that the board just hires and fires the superintendent; it doesn't manage him. This reveals a complete misunderstanding of the function and responsibility of a school board of trustees.

How can we get more parents and community members involved in Richland 2? I don't mean baking cookies or having PTO room-decorating parties. 

Show up at board meetings. Look at your board members. See which ones sit there like lumps and never say a word. Guess which ones never read the Board Packets to know what they are discussing or voting on. Which ones do you think don't deserve to be on the board of a $1,000,000,000 "company"?

These are the ones who deserve the boot in 2022 at the next election! Find some highly qualified people to run for the board - people with financial decision-making experience and with clear vision.

Newspaper drops reader comments

 You may have noticed that The State newspaper no longer allows readers to comment on news articles.

The word "Comments" is still at the end of articles, but clicking on it does not open the comment field. Responses vary from "temporarily suspended" to "the paper is getting a new vendor to handle comments" to one that is probably a lot closer: "Too many crazy comments." 

The State allowed commenters to hide their true names, so people could slip into the attack mode and do so anonymously. It could require a sizeable staff to monitor comments, and reporters should not be expected to do that. 

The problem could probably to solved with a Registration/Confirmation process, but that costs money, too.

So the decision was just made to kill off comments. Let Brian Tolley know at btolley@thestate.com; he is the president and editor of The State.

Comments to newspaper stories are valuable parts of a newspaper. They provide a way for the public to ask questions and to add detail about stories. 

A newspaper subscription is worth less to me if I can't toss in my 2¢ worth.

Your comments are invited here. Please be responsible for them by including your own name.