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Parents and community members press school board on counselor hours, emergency preparedness, coach conduct and AI safeguards
Summary
Four citizens used the public comment period to urge action on counselor staffing and hours, school emergency preparedness after a power outage, alleged coach retaliation and troubling social-media posts, and to request a board proclamation limiting AI use and protecting student data.
Four community members spoke during the public comment period, raising concerns and requests for board action.
Blake Harrah, a school counselor, asked the board to publicly affirm the professional expertise of PWCS counselors and urged the superintendent to post next year's teacher hours or delay implementation. Harrah argued counselors had earned national ASCA Model Program recognition and said the board's earlier remarks had implied counselors lacked necessary knowledge; he warned the division could face legal action and suggested the board either direct staff to post hours, reduce hours, or delay implementation.
Hina Ansari described a school power outage and related emergency‑preparedness gaps she observed, including dark, locked bathrooms and landlocked classrooms with poor communication during the outage. She urged the board to review preparedness planning and school communication protocols.
Troy Harris alleged retaliation by an Osbourn Park coach against his son after Harris spoke at a prior meeting, saying the coach unfollowed the child on social media and subsequently avoided contact with him; Harris also cited disturbing social‑media posts tied to school accounts and asked the board to take action under county policies.
Jen Donnelly urged the board to adopt a Moms for Liberty AI proclamation she provided, saying AI is already in classrooms and that the proclamation would require transparency about data collection, parental consent, and limits on AI role in social‑emotional learning or mental‑health services.
Board members listened but did not announce immediate policy votes in response to the public comments during the meeting. Several of the requests — posting official hours, reviewing emergency procedures, investigating allegations of staff misconduct, and considering an AI proclamation — would require staff follow‑up or placement on a future agenda for formal consideration.
