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Community members raise First Amendment concerns over Facebook post; chair removes commenter
Summary
Multiple community members urged the Foley ISD 51 board to defend First Amendment rights after a weekend Facebook post; one attendee was removed for hostility during public comment. Speakers asked why open-forum remarks were not available on the board's YouTube channel.
Several community members used the Jan. 26 open forum to press the Foley ISD 51 Board of Education about a recent Facebook post and to stress free-speech protections. "supports 1st Amendment rights on Political views," Juliet Branbrink said while addressing the board, according to the meeting minutes.
Mike Lewandowski raised questions about transparency, asking why open-forum remarks are not posted to the board meeting recording on YouTube and urging the board to pursue a resignation or remove a person of interest connected to the Facebook post. Emily Fischer and Ryan Tenney also addressed the board in support of First Amendment rights; Chair Pamela Vizenor dismissed Ryan Tenney "due to hostility," 58 seconds into his remarks, a removal noted in the official minutes.
The public comments took place at the start of the meeting during the designated open forum. The board did not record any public reply or a formal vote in response to the requests for removal or resignation in the minutes. The open forum items were entered in the record but no administrative action was documented at the Jan. 26 meeting.
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