Opinion: School Board Member Says Trotter Should Vacate His Position

By Jim Shelton

To publicly call for the resignation of a public figure is not something done casually or flippantly. Those of us in the public trust must always be aware that decisions and attitudes affect our constituents in ways we may not be aware. Public service is not an electrical switch, something that can be turned on or off at a moment’s convenience. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we are on the job.

There is an expectation from the public that we take our roles seriously. An off-color or candid remark may be misunderstood by one’s audience. It’s in our collective best interest to avoid such incidents, and if not, then we are and should be held accountable for the words.

For this there is precedent in Pickens County. In the past few years, we’ve witnessed the removal of a city police chief and the removal of a school principal for comments, not unlike those attributed to Mr. Trotter, which might not have been born of malicious intent but were heinous nonetheless.

What happened the afternoon of February 28 at Liberty Middle School (LMS) is known only to those in attendance. The record we have of that meeting consists of a document signed by faculty and staff members of LMS, and Mr. Trotter’s own recollection.

Parents of special needs children have called for Mr. Trotter’s resignation, and have requested board members to offer their opinion as well. After considerable thought and examination of this series of events, I offer my opinion to those in this county who have asked.

POLICY

First, I reference certain policy I believe applies for this case. For example, policy GAMB states “One of the best methods of instruction is that of setting a good example.” Also, “Employees, while on duty and in the presence of students, will not use profanity.” Among a list of items in policy GAMB that are considered misconduct while are duty is this passage: “Using of obscene language which is unsuitable in the school setting.”

 Policy BC (board member conduct) “Confidence in public officials is based on a trust or confidence the public has in the integrity of its officials and how those officials conduct their business and themselves. To preserve this confidence, it is the desire of the board and its individual members to operate under the highest standards.” And “Treat all administrators, school staff, community members, parents/legal guardians and students in a professional and respectful manner.”

Policy BBAA “The board officers may, where appropriate, counsel individual board members when it is perceived by other board members or superintendent that the individual board member is acting outside his/her authority and responsibility or abusing his/her privileges.”

To my knowledge, Mr. Trotter has not been counseled by the elected leadership of this board.

Policies JCA and JFAB address school attendance areas, non-resident students and the process to attend school in an area outside the student’s home attendance area.

Listed here are the expected standards for behavior and eligibility to which all students, faculty and employees of The School District of Pickens County must adhere. Mr. Trotter’s actions and behavior are contrary to what is demanded of students and teachers. There should one standard, not two, and we as board members should abide by the same rules as do the employees of this school district. In addition, I am told Mr. Trotter no longer lives in the Liberty District, having moved his residence back to Pickens and is using a fictitious address to remain eligible in Liberty. I am unsure of the law in this case, but clearly Mr. Trotter is misleading the public by using a false address. Students that are discovered using false addresses are given a hearing and face the possibility of being returned to the school in their attendance area. The same level of honesty should be expected of board members.

THE INCIDENT OF FEBRUARY 28

While the letter from LMS is signed and attested to, and is a single version, I am aware of three different versions of this incident from Mt. Trotter: 1) he did not say anything, 2) his comment was taken out of context, 3) he was referring to what other students call students who attend the Alternative School at Simpson Academy. It is unclear what Mr. Trotter’s actual recollection is of the meeting and what was said. Given that the LMS is consistent, and signed by over two dozen people, I conclude this document to be an accurate record of the events.

To be believed, a person must first earn the respect and confidence to be taken at one’s word. There is overwhelming testimony from the principal and faculty members of Liberty Middle School that refutes all three of Mr. Trotter’s recollections of what happened on February 28. It is difficult to accept that all those who signed their name to a document attesting to what was said at the faculty meeting are wrong. Also, it is difficult to accept Mr. Trotter’s side(s) of the story when he clearly intends to deceive the public about his residency eligibility to hold the Liberty seat.

QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY OF SCHOOL ADMINSTRATORS

Mr. Trotter has, on several occasions, labeled the Liberty Middle School principal, Mr. Donivan Edwards, the Liberty High School principal, Ms. Lori Gwinn, and Superintendent Dr. Henry Hunt as being “liars”, and has offered that he can prove they are indeed lying. Thus far no proof of Mr. Trotter’s claim has been put forth. Mr. Trotter also claims to have taken a lie detector test, but has not yet released the results. Perhaps a receipt showing when, where and by whom this lie detector test was administered is appropriate at this time.

THE CONTEXT OF THE STATEMENTS BY MR. TROTTER

These were disparaging, disrespectful comments directed at, and singling out, the special needs students at Liberty High School. Mr. Trotter offered his opinion about the special needs students of Liberty High School, laying blame of poor graduation rates at their feet. By referring to these students as “a waste of money” and “taking up space” shows a callous disregard for federal law, which guarantees every student a free and appropriate education. It is also very demeaning of students for which we, as board members, are sworn to provide.

My board colleague Mr. Gillespie is indeed correct when says that he and Mr. Trotter have been the target of name calling from their opposition. Anyone in public service is subject to the same attacks. We know this when we step into public service. The difference is we asked to be here, we put our names on ballots and we hope to be elected. Our special needs students did not choose their fate, and cannot defend themselves from a school board member's derogatory comments.

THE AFTERMATH

Mr. Trotter has maintained a combative attitude and demeanor with the people he is sworn to serve. Nowhere in Mr. Trotter’s self-defense have we seen any evidence of wrongdoing by other parties, any serious attempt at resolution or anything positive that would move the school district beyond this conflict. Mr. Trotter seems only interested in protecting and preserving himself, and is not acting in the best interest of Pickens County as a whole.

CONCLUSION

There is no doubt we live in a very sensitive society, and that disparaging remarks are frequently made about people of all races, creeds, gender and affliction. However, as elected officials we are held to a much higher standard by virtue of our position, and should lead by setting a good example. Refraining from such comments is expected of us. Why these remarks were made and what was on Mr. Trotter’s mind that day may never be known. I’m certain, at one time or another, each of us has uttered something aloud without the awareness of having done so. Maybe this is what happened on February 28. I don’t know.

What we do know is that the faculty and leadership of Liberty Middle School stand by their testimony, and that is sufficient for me.

This issue could have been resolved with a simple apology. However, the time has passed for that to be sufficient solution. Mr. Trotter created the situation, and should be held accountable.

In the best interest for all involved; our students, teachers, employees, the School Board, the county as a whole, and for himself, Mr. Trotter should vacate the Liberty Seat on the Pickens County School Board of Trustees.

Jim Shelton is a member of the School District of Pickens County's Board of Trustees.