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Public commenters urge stronger bullying enforcement; callers press board on parental-rights pledge and book bans
Summary
Parents told the school board they still see bullying they say is not being enforced, a speaker asked the board to adopt a parental-rights resolution and sign a 'Moms for Liberty' pledge, and a First Amendment advocate warned the district against book bans, citing Board of Education v. Pico (1982).
Multiple members of the public addressed Hernando County School Board members at the June 3 meeting, urging stricter enforcement of the student code of conduct around bullying and raising constitutional concerns about book removals. One speaker also asked the board to adopt a parental-rights resolution and consider signing a pledge promoted by Moms for Liberty.
Kimberly Mulrooney of Brooksville told the board she supports district anti-bullying programs but said “we're not following the student code of conduct. Most people aren't.” Mulrooney said some students remain afraid to report bullying because they are labeled “snitches” and she urged more activities and parent involvement, including at the elementary level.
Crystal Santiago, a Spring Hill parent, said her daughter participated in the district’s anti-bullying program but described incidents she said were not handled to her satisfaction. “Rather than each kid being individually called, they decided to do a whole class message,” Santiago said, adding that she wants the district to do more when students report bullying.
Monty Floyd asked the board to back a parental-rights resolution and urged members to sign a Moms for Liberty parental-rights pledge he provided. “The role of parents in education of their children is not secondary, it is primary,” Floyd said, calling June “Parental Rights Month” and urging the board to adopt a local reaffirmation of parental authority.
Beverly Coe, who said she is a First Amendment advocate, criticized what she described as an increase in book removals and cited the Supreme Court decision Board of Education v. Pico (1982). Coe said the case supports student access to library books and urged the board to challenge book removals she described as unlawful. “The right to read is implied by the First Amendment,” she told the board.
Board members responded in general remarks later in the meeting. At least one board member said sexually explicit material has “no place on our shelves” while another emphasized that students’ speech in schools is not identical to adult free-speech rights and that schools must consider age-appropriate content.
Speakers and board members identified ongoing concern over bullying enforcement, parental engagement, and book-selection policy; the transcript shows no board vote on a parental-rights resolution at this meeting.
