COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Nearly every person who spoke to the Cobb County School Board on Thursday night raised some type of safety concern.
One mom wanted more board-certified behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians to support students with special needs and help with potential safety issues.
A 6th grader asked the district to do more to address antisemitic incidents that make her feel unsafe at school.
A dad told the superintendent he needed to directly address the shooting in the parking lot of McEachern High.
And nearly half a dozen others wanted to know what would be done about a decision to move the public comment line outside in September.
"It happened six months ago, but when I think back to that night, it's still extremely traumatic," said Melissa Marten, a parent of two Cobb County students. "It's our First Amendment right, and besides that, it's really the only avenue we have to get something on public record and be heard in a public forum."
She said she stood in line at the September school board meeting to sign up for one of the 15 public comment slots but lost her place when staff members moved the line outside.
"There was so much chaos and pushing and shoving that I did not get to speak. If the line had not been moved, I would have had my chance to speak," she said. "It's completely unacceptable. We're not going to accept it. We're going to continue to call for accountability."
Cobb County Schools told 11Alive its meetings have been "increasingly tense and full of disruptions" like others across the country.
"Based on safety recommendations that day, public comment’s process was moved, where it remains. As you can see by watching the meeting, 14 of the 15 public commenters at this particular meeting were antagonistic to the district in their 'Replace Ragsdale' rally. There was no attempt, or effect, to limit their ability to speak," a district spokesperson said. "The District will continue to follow safety recommendations, regardless of lobbying by current and hopeful local politicians.”
It said many of those concerned about the public comment situation are "current candidates running for School Board, running for Georgia House, campaign managers for other political candidates, disgruntled ex-employees, and parties to a lawsuit against the District."
The district did not address any safety concerns about the recent stabbing at Sprayberry High School during Thursday night's meeting.
However, a mom of four boys, including one at McEachern High, shared her concerns during the afternoon work session.
"The increase in violence and weapons that end up on school grounds is simply unacceptable, as evidenced at Sprayberry High School yesterday," she said. "It is evident that there is a security breach when individuals feel comfortable to come on campus and take actions as they have recently."