WC DISTRICT BOARD MEET TURNS TENSE

By Rick Joslin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Newly-elected Watson Chapel School Board President Sandra Boone took little time in exercising her authority at a special Monday night meeting focusing on the district’s controversial dress code.

Boone interrupted and stopped a coarse exchange between Superintendent Danny Knight and Wendy Crow, a founder and leader in the FED UP (Fighting Education-Depriving Uniform Policies) group that is actively opposing the uniform policy and its enforcement.

In her comments to the board, Crow questioned the legality of a recent retirement action by Knight. Donnie Hartsfield, the board’s newly-elected vice president, intervened, saying Knight was not on trial.

Boone told Crow that her query was inappropriate and would not be allowed, but Knight urged Boone to allow Crow to continue.

Knight then commenced to verbally spar with Crow, saying that he had read newspaper and Web articles about her. He said he believed people had the right to know that she’s a leader in the “Free the West Memphis Three” group, which is seeking new trials for or the pardonings of three then-teenagers found guilty in the 1993 ritual murder of three young boys.

Crow acknowledged her involvement in the effort and said she was proud of her stance.

Boone’s voice rosed as she injected, “We’re not getting into a debate here.” She reminded Crow and Knight of the meeting’s expressed topic.

“My rules are in the Constitution,” Crow told the board as several directors began to voice disagreement with some of her remarks. “The Constitution is more important than the (district’s) student handbook. I don’t trust this district.”

Crow said Friday that the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas will begin legal actions this week to seek an injunction against the district on its disciplinary actions against students who wore black armbands on Friday to protest the dress code.

“I have trouble with people coming out when they want to get publicity,” Director Maxine Nelson told Crow. “If you’re unaware of a (district) policy, then you didn’t make the effort to become aware.”

Director Danny Holcomb and Crow also traded a few verbal jabs as well before Boone again ordered a halt.

Knight and several board members said “mistakes” had been made concerning the uniform policy and they’re willing to “help correct them.”