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School superintendent tells Benton County commissioners the school board opposes vouchers; residents raise agenda access and animal-control funding
Summary
During citizens forum at the April 15 meeting, Mark Florence said the Benton County Board of Education passed a resolution opposing school vouchers and public funding for private education. Other residents asked for publicly posted agendas and raised concerns about an unfunded Animal Control Officer position.
At the Benton County Commissioners meeting on April 15, 2019, several residents and a school official used the public-comment portion of the agenda to raise policy and access concerns.
Gary Masterson told commissioners he would like the county meeting agenda posted and accessible to citizens, arguing for clearer public access to meeting materials. Ernest Vickers raised a separate concern that the Animal Control Officer position in county government is not funded.
Mark Florence, identified in the minutes as a school superintendent, told the commission that the Benton County Board of Education passed a resolution in March opposing any school voucher program and opposing the use of public funds for private education. The minutes record Florence presenting that board position to the commissioners during citizens forum.
Mayor Brett Lashlee later addressed issues raised in the citizens forum. The meeting also recognized National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and included a student presentation by Mark Florence and Karen Hudson.
The minutes do not record a formal response line-by-line from commissioners on each citizens' concern, nor do they attach supporting documents or details about the Animal Control funding request.
