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Public speakers split over board member Sarah Rockwell as revised public-input rules take effect
Summary
Dozens of residents used the first public input session under a revised policy to either call for the resignation of board member Sarah Rockwell or to defend her; several speakers also urged changes to preregistration rules for public comment.
The School Board of Alachua County began its Aug. 19 meeting with the first public input session under a newly revised policy that requires speakers to preregister for non-agenda comments. The change drew immediate attention from residents who spent the allotted two-minute slots arguing over whether Board member Sarah Rockwell should resign and whether preregistration limits public participation.
Public speakers included retired educators, parents and union members. Several called for Rockwell's resignation over remarks reported at a previous meeting; others said her private speech is protected by the First Amendment and urged the board not to bow to pressure from outside groups.
"Doctor Rockwell did…
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