Sarasota school board member doesn't back up her talk on civility

During an April 16 Sarasota County School Board work session, Board Member Robyn Marinelli dramatically tore up a resolution that was presented by fellow Board Member Tom Edwards. After stating that she normally doesn't "get this upset by this kind of thing," Marinelli proceeded to tell Edwards he needed to "apologize and perhaps resign."

Based on Marinelli's reaction, you would assume Edwards' resolution was a particularly heinous one. Was public education coming to an end in Sarasota County? Were district teachers and staff members being asked to take a pay cut?

It turns out that Edwards' resolution simply called for reinforcing the district's commitment to an existing federal and state law that protects the rights of all students to an equal education. Marinelli claimed Edwards' actions were politically motivated, even while acknowledging that his actions were being directed toward the one person who started the whole ruckus - fellow Board Member Bridget Ziegler.

Edwards explained that his resolution was in response to a previous work session when Ziegler asked if there was any documentation for immigrant and non-English speaking students. Ziegler suggested that this sector of students has put a burden on teachers and classrooms. This set off a red flag for those who follow the School Board, and during the next meeting speakers expressed their disgust during public comments.

“This is a clean resolution to say to the public, ‘This is who we are’,” Edwards said, adding that it would also make clear that "yes, we follow the law."

More: Edwards walks out of Sarasota School Board meeting as anti-gay public comments continue

But Marinelli dismissed Edwards' resolution as "political theater" – to which Edwards replied that it was actually Marinelli's melodramatic act of ripping up two pieces of paper that more closely resembled that phrase.

While Marinelli was putting Edwards on the defensive, Ziegler took the ball and ran the way NFL star tight end Travis Kelce does after catching a pass with no defender around him. Thanks to Marinelli's enabling, Ziegler was free to espouse how immigration was having an effect on "the community, the country and in our schools" – before eventually getting around to blaming President Joe Biden and making references to closing the border.

More: Public speakers urge Sarasota School Board to not restrict public comment

Incredibly, Ziegler concluded her rant by declaring, "If I get blamed for bringing in politics, then game on.”

Shouldn't it be obvious by now to Marinelli that Ziegler, not Edwards, was the board member who was actually acting in a politically motivated manner?

What makes all of this so ironic is that during the recent workshop, Marinelli made a point of saying that it was the responsibility of the board members to "set the tone" when meeting before the public.

Sadly, this wasn't first time Marinelli failed to walk her talk. During a past School Board meeting, Marinelli insisted that she would be happy to stay past midnight at such sessions, if necessary, to ensure hearing from all of her constituents. Yet during the very next meeting, Marinelli called for limiting the amount of time provided for speakers to comment – a position she now continues to advocate for and support.

Of all our elected officials, those who sit on our School Board must behave and act in a manner that is beyond reproach. They must embrace being held to a higher standard, and they must be impeccable with their words.

There is already one Sarasota County School Board member – Ziegler – who has lost all credibility due to her hypocrisy and the shenanigans she pulls during public meetings. It's my hope that unlike that board member, Marinelli will do what's right and apologize to Edwards and the public for her overreaction to a resolution that simply reiterates the Sarasota County school district's motto: "Every student, every day."

Julie London is a Sarasota resident and blogger who advocates for the protection of public education. She also serves as an advocate for the elderly.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County School Board member won't back up her talk on civility