Windsor-Essex public school board to consider eliminating impromptu speakers from meetings

The Greater Essex County District School Board will consider no longer allowing last-minute speakers at its meetings — because of what board members describe as disruptive behaviour and security issues.

"I'm done with it. We don't have to do it," said Trustee Connie Buckler during a trustee question period on Tuesday night.

"I'm done with not feeling safe. Let's finally say we're done."

At the end of the meeting, Trustee Cathy Cooke gave notice of a motion to "remove the speakers' list from our agendas."

The speakers' list gives members of the public an opportunity to address the board about items that are not on the meeting's agenda. Signing up for the list is permitted until 6:45 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Speakers have a time limit of five minutes.

Cooke's notice came after the speakers' list segment in Tuesday's meeting resulted in the entire board leaving the room and a police officer intervening.

The friction arose when a speaker who identified herself as Beth St. Denis attempted to call out individual board members for alleged violations of the trustee code of conduct.

"Trustee Ron Le Clair publicly berated and disrespected —," St. Denis began telling the board.

Board chair Gale Hatfield interrupted the sentence, but St. Denis attempted to talk over her and continue speaking at the podium. "I am giving examples of how the code of conduct was breached. I spent many hours preparing my speech and I would like to have my opportunity to finish what I have to say."

Hatfield said the trustee code of conduct is not enforceable by the public, and the speakers' list is not an opportunity to "name people."

With the mic turned off, St. Denis continued shouting at the board, saying she had a right to speak.

"No, you don't. This is our meeting," Hatfield retorted.

Trustee Ron Le Clair added: "There is no guarantee of freedom of speech in a private meeting."

Hatfield called for a recess. All trustees and administrative staff retired to a separate room, while a police officer spoke with St. Denis and about a dozen people in the public gallery.