Action at board meeting gets student suspended

The student's parents will be meeting with school officials.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BROOKFIELD -- Comments made at a recent school board meeting landed one student in hot water and a three-day suspension from school.
Board member Ronald Brennan said the student had made some comments in support of former high school football coach Randy Clark but deemed disrespectful to board members, he said.
"The student was suspended for three days for disrespect at the meeting. The meeting got a little out of hand," he said.
Brennan said the board had just adjourned from its regular session Saturday and were heading into an executive session when Clark protested comments made in a recently distributed newsletter.
He said Clark was upset about not being given the coaching position for next school year and statements in the newsletter about recruiting outside the district.
What happened
Brennan said the student, who had been standing close to Clark, made the disrespectful comment just as board members were adjourning from the meeting.
"He didn't direct his comments at any one person. All he did was shake his hand in the air and say something like 'Liars. This is bullcrap.' He didn't swear or anything," he said.
Brennan said he learned of the suspension the next day.
Messages left at the student's home Thursday seeking comment were not returned.
Brennan acknowledged the student does have a right to free speech but said voicing an opinion is not what got the boy suspended. He said the official reasons for the suspension are disrespect to a school official, disregard for an order and insubordination.
Brennan said he is unsure if the student has begun serving the suspension but said the parents do have a right to contest the punishment.
"Once the superintendent approves the suspension, it is a suspension -- the kid is off school for three days. What is happening now is that the parents can appeal the incident, and it may not be in his permanent record," he added.
Superintendent Michael Notar refused to comment on the matter but did say the student's parents will be meeting with school officials to further discuss the situation.
jgoodwin@vindy.com