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Parents press DeSoto County board for policy after member’s endorsement of accused offender; attorney cites statutory limits
Summary
During public comment, speakers urged the board to adopt a policy barring board members and staff from supporting people charged with offenses against district children; a board legal responder said state law and a recent Supreme Court decision limit what rules can be imposed on elected officials.
Several speakers used the public-comment portion of the DeSoto County School District meeting to press trustees on accountability and conflict-of-interest policies when officials endorse or support people accused of harming students.
Megan Milljohn told the board that when "a school board member writes a character witness on behalf of an admitted offender, especially when the harm was done to a student within the very district that board oversees, it sends a message." She urged trustees to prioritize survivors, saying, "Choose the children." (Speaker identification and role are from the public…
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