STOP SKSD from Violating Parent’s and Voter’s 1st Amendment Rights of Free Speech/Assembly and WA State Open Public Meeting Act

We the Parents, Voters and Tax Payers of South Kitsap School District believe that the South Kitsap School District Board and Superintendent violated WA State Open Public Meeting Act on 9/15 by walking out of a public meeting with no notice, no vote, no reconvening or proper following of RCW 32.30.050.

In fairness and good faith of working together we don’t at this time wish to bring litigation to bear, but perhaps at the very least the board needs to refresh their education regarding OPMA.

Since 9/15 the board has been meeting on Zoom violating our right to free speech, assembly and public discourse. The board has taken group training at WSU in person, yet refuses to meet to openly communicate with its constituents.

A recent decision in PA on Nov. 17th US District Court Judge Pratter wrote “Public speech at school board meetings is in fact protected by the First Amendment,” wrote Judge Pratter of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

We, the Parents of the children, and voters of the Port Orchard Community, that you serve, want to work and cooperate with the School Board in a constructive, open and transparent manner, and respectfully request to START meeting again in person as we have always done.

By meeting NOW, in person, we can increase communication and facilitate helping students learn, parents communicate, teachers educate, and South Kitsap School District be the best it can be by helping it achieve it’s own vision of Nurturing Growth, Inspiring Achievement and Building Community.