Residents press board on school taxes and student walkouts over ICE at public comment
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Summary
Public commentators raised concerns about rising school taxes and property valuations affecting seniors and demanded accountability and discipline after student walkouts protesting ICE activity, asking the board what action has been taken; staff said it will follow up with speakers after the meeting.
During the public participation segment of the Newton County Board of Education meeting, residents urged the board to address high school taxes and expressed concern about students leaving class to protest federal immigration-enforcement activity.
John Dobbs told the board he visited the tax commissioner's office seeking relief and said his school tax bill was about $1,861, arguing that property value increases are hitting seniors. Dobbs also criticized school policing costs and suggested those increases are borne by senior taxpayers.
An unidentified resident raised the issue of students walking out of class to protest ICE activity and said such protests "should be after they are out of school, on their time," arguing that adults in charge should prevent in-school protests and that any teacher or administrator who allows or "abets" such actions should be fired.
The chair reminded speakers that the board does not respond during public comment but said staff will get in touch with anyone who spoke to follow up on questions. No immediate board discipline or policy action was taken during the meeting; the remarks were recorded as part of the public comment record.