Minutes 10-03-2022 Business Meeting

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15 through, and consider the concerns of residents related to free speech. She said this issue is too important to everyone to not be more deliberative. Commissioner Richards thanked Dr. Felder and Patrick Abele for being here and being creative in their suggestions about the objective and intent being when students are present and near the entrances of schools. She said engaging the Sheriff's Office is also important to come up with something she could support. Commissioner McKee asked how many protests have occurred at any of the schools within the last ten years. Dr. Felder said she is aware of two that occurred last year. Commissioner McKee said he finds it interesting the original proposal included private property and far distances. He asked what the reasons were for the recent changes. Patrick Abele said they were a result of also hearing the community's concerns, focusing on protecting children, and not asking the Board to pass an ordinance that could not be enforced. He said as they reflected and thought about best addressing the need, they wanted to come back with an additional recommendation that would address the goal. Commissioner McKee asked if there were any threats made. Patrick Abele said he has directly been threatened as an individual and as a school official. Commissioner McKee said his concern is that the original request and this request are not consistent. He said he finds it interesting that the demonstration was termed non-violent and the federal drug enforcement laws and sex offenders distance of 1,000 feet was referenced when neither of those scenarios apply. He said that he has pushed for years for there to be more school resource officers in the schools. He said that he will support that but that this is a solution looking for a problem. He said that he has an issue trying to reconcile whether any other group from any other political bent would have received the same response. He said that he will support Commissioner Hamilton's idea of carrying this to a public conversation. Commissioner Bedford asked John Roberts for direction. John Roberts said they can vote or discuss Commissioner Hamilton's idea. Commissioner Fowler asked for a summary of the school's existing policy. Patrick Abele said it is a regulation that guide visitors on a school campus. He said that this is insuring that the campuses are free from harassment, bullying, and acts of intimidation. He said there are rules and regulations for students to have protests on school campus. He said with this ordinance they have never mentioned the type of speech, only when and where. Commissioner Fowler asked if teachers can protest on campus. Patrick Abele said they are restricted as employees. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Benjamin Gaither said he is a 2020 Orange County High School graduate. He said when he attended, students were not allowed to discuss politics let alone protest the politics of schools. He said that teachers and parents of enrolled students are no exception. He said this is going to affect everyone at school regardless of politics. He said you have the right to protest the injustices of society. He said that by going through with item 6a then they are going to take away rights of students. He said that people deserve a voice. He said that when he was in school students stood up for a tech teacher that was going to be fired. He said students will not be able to tell the school what they think if something like that happens. He said they need a voice and it would be a shame to take away that voice. Chair Price asked for clarification that the ordinance does not apply to students. John Roberts said the draft does not apply to students, who are subject to school rules. Rev. John B. Gaither said the right of way includes the centerline out and is covered under the ordinance. He said this private property infringement goes too far. He said the