Public comment at the Orange County School Board meeting included criticism of the Scribe Board Member Alliance (SBMA) and prompted board discussion about how to proceed with policy‑services support. The board asked the superintendent and staff to research other organizations and procurement options rather than immediately subscribing to a single service.

Tracy Laughlin, a member of the public, addressed the board during public comment and urged caution about using public education funds to purchase policy services from SBMA. “We should not be spending the county’s education dollars to support a 2 year old political organization that does not offer the expertise or experience to provide legal guidance on district compliance with state policy and statute,” Laughlin said. She questioned the organization’s staff qualifications, asked how much the division has spent on legal counsel since ending its Virginia School Boards Association membership, and cautioned that students should not be “used as political pawns.”

Later during board member items, members discussed whether to engage SBMA for policy services and whether to request presentations from multiple providers. Some board members asked administration to prepare a request so potential providers could present services, costs and contracts for comparison; others said the board itself should direct which organizations to invite. Ultimately the board asked Superintendent Dr. Hornick and staff to research other entities and report back with options — including potential competitive processes and proposals — before any subscription or contract is executed.

No binding expenditure or subscription was approved at the meeting; the board’s direction was to gather information and return with comparative options for further deliberation.