Residents ask Highland board about Sports Hall of Fame process and raise concerns over student walkout

During the public comment period at the March 17 School Town of Highland board meeting, two residents raised questions about transparency and student conduct.

Rick Balbert asked whether there is a committee that oversees the Highland Sports Hall of Fame, who its members are and what voting and performance criteria guide nominations. “Is there a committee for the Highland Sports Hall of Fame? If there is, who are the members?” Balbert asked, saying he had posed the question previously and had not received a reply.

Later, Frank Boka raised concerns about an unsanctioned student walkout. Boka asked whether parents who facilitated the walkout could be barred from school property and said a community club director (he named Girls on the Run’s local leader) publicly supported the students on social media. He also questioned whether the advisory period functions as a meaningful educational time if students treated it like a study hall.

Board members acknowledged the public comments and thanked speakers for raising issues. They did not announce immediate policy changes during the meeting; rather, members noted the comments and reiterated priorities for student safety and upcoming administrative transitions.

What’s next: the board did not announce a committee roster or immediate disciplinary policy changes during the meeting; public commenters seeking formal responses should follow up with district administration or the board office for records or next steps.