A repeated issue at the Indiana Area School District Board Meetings, the absence of one school board member, was brought up again last night.
Board Member Robert Edwards has not attended several board meetings due to complications with his work, and has attended several meetings via conference call. But some who have been upset with his repeated absences have made their position known during previous meetings during public comment, asking for his resignation from the board.
Last night, some unidentified supporters brought with them a mannequin dressed in a business suit, with Edwards’ face placed on it, and a name tag on the suit. The move did not sit well with Superintendent Dale Kirsch, who asked for those responsible for the mannequin’s presence to remove it. When no one did, he took the mannequin out himself. Kirsch said that there is a rule about not having placards or signs at school board meetings, saying that they are not allowed in the meeting room. Kirsch said he felt it was “pretty inappropriate.”
We asked Board President Doug Steve about the issue of Edwards’ attendance, and he said that Edwards was still a member of the board, but they will revisit the policy concerning board member’s attendance in the near future.
Edwards was not in attendance, either in person or over the phone, for last night’s meeting.
