Parkway public commenter criticizes student protest, makes controversial claims about immigration and 9/11

During the citizen statement period at the Feb. 18 Parkway School District Board meeting, resident Wayne Hartman used his public comment time to criticize a student protest at Parkway South High School and to make broader claims about immigration and national security.

Hartman told the board the first thing the meeting does is "stand and face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance" and asked "Why?" He criticized a Parkway South freshman quoted as saying "I think America is built on immigrants," arguing instead that participating students and teachers "spit on their memory" and should face stronger consequences. "They spit on their memory," Hartman said, calling for more severe discipline than an unexcused absence. He urged the district not to let the incident be treated as a "slap on the wrist."

Hartman went on to make a series of factual assertions during his remarks, including: "America leaves in 750,000 legal immigrants every year and has done for the last 25 years," and he advanced a linkage between foreign students and the Sept. 11 attacks by saying a group of "immigrant students hijacked those planes and flew them right into our buildings." Those statements were presented by Hartman as part of his argument about student conduct; the transcript shows no board reply, staff correction or request for clarification during or after his remarks.

The board's formal business proceeded after Hartman's comments. The meeting record does not show any board motion, staff response, or disciplinary action resulting directly from the comment during the Feb. 18 meeting.

Context: Hartman spoke during the citizen statement period after the chair introduced him as the lone public commenter for the night. His comments referenced Parkway South and framed his argument in terms of respect for alumni who served in the military. The meeting transcript does not record factual corroboration or rebuttal of Hartman's assertions; claims about immigration numbers and historical events remain those of the speaker.

The board carried out its scheduled business including the consent agenda and a separate vote later in the meeting on a tax-rollover matter; no immediate board response to Hartman was recorded in the meeting minutes presented at the Feb. 18 meeting.