Residents endorse Lamont Hill and Dorothy Boone at Franklin City school board public hearing

Dozens of Franklin City residents urged the City Council on Thursday to appoint Lamont Hill and Dorothy Boone to vacant school board seats, telling council members they want new voices focused on students and stronger community engagement.

Pam Lease, a Franklin resident and the spouse of a retired Franklin City Public Schools teacher, described Hill as a longtime mentor and coach who "is nothing but a winner because he teaches kids how to win the game of life," and asked the council to vote for Lamont Hill for Ward 1 and Dorothy Boone for Ward 3.

The endorsements continued through the evening. Felicia Barnes, a former Franklin City Public Schools teacher, said Boone "will work to make certain that all concerned have a plan to develop methodologies that will put students on a path for success." Karen Baxter Futrell, who said she has known Boone since 1981, cited Boone’s ability to listen, articulate ideas and mediate disagreements as qualities that would help the school board.

Several other residents — including Michelle Tono, Teresa Geary and Brenda Peterson, a 37-year educator — also urged the council to appoint Boone and Hill, saying both candidates demonstrate commitment to students and community involvement. Brenda Peterson framed her remarks around a question she said educators often ask: "What is your why?" and urged support for candidates who put children first.

Lamont Hill, who spoke and read remarks on behalf of an absent supporter, told the council that if elected he would prioritize coordination between the Ward 1 school board member and the Ward 1 city council member to increase community engagement and access to programs. "One of my first goals is to ensure that we get together the Ward 1 school board member and the Ward 1 city council member and involve our community," Hill said.

Council members opened the special meeting at 6:00 p.m., completed a roll call that recorded five members present and noted that Mr. Grizzard was unavailable due to a work shift with the Prince George fire department. The council approved the meeting agenda by voice vote and said it would reconvene next Monday for its regular session to vote on the candidates.

The public hearing was the single item on the special meeting agenda. After three calls for additional speakers the council closed the hearing, thanked those who spoke, and approved a motion to adjourn.

The council did not take a final vote on the candidates at Thursday’s special meeting; the matter is scheduled for the full council vote at its regular meeting next Monday.