MCSD board members exchange contentious Facebook posts

The dissension on the Muscogee County School Board recorded another chapter Thursday night, when two members exchanged contentious Facebook posts.

In a June 29 post at 7:24 p.m. on his personal and school board Facebook pages, District 8 representative Frank Myers wrote, “At last Monday's school board meeting, there was a proposal to bring in an 'independent counsel' for the alleged purpose of ‘assisting’ the Muscogee County School District in keeping its accreditation.

“Friends, the thought that there would be a threat to a school system's accreditation based on board members taking an oath and telling the truth in ANY legal proceeding is just laughable. Unfortunately, some of our weak-minded and/or naïve board members seem to be seriously considering rubberstamping this proposal, that apparently comes from Superintendent Lewis, the school board lawyers, and Chairman Hugley-Green.”

Myers noted that he wrote his post also on behalf of District 2 representative John Thomas.

In an 11:07 p.m. post later that night, District 5 representative Laurie McRae replied to Myers, “Since I have spoken out for the need for an Independent Counsel, I guess you, Frank Myers, are calling me ‘weak-minded and/or naïve.’ I assure you, I am neither. I want justice in this tragic case, and I am not trying to keep anyone form telling the truth. I want to be clear on these points. As an attorney, I know that justice includes a fair trial for both sides. As School Board members, Frank Myers and John Thomas have a duty to MCSD, and there are established avenues for them to bring forward any information they feel is relevant. It weakens the credibility of their points when they refuse to ethically disclose this information to all parties. I also question the strength of someone's argument when they find it necessary to hurl insults at those who disagree with them.”

It’s rare for board members to publicly respond to Myers’ critical Facebook posts, so it’s unclear why McRae chose to respond this time. Also unclear is what Myers meant when he wrote this in that same Thursday post:

“Today, John and I are making our first move to begin the process of bringing an entire series of unethical, underhanded, and likely illegal acts, to a screeching halt,” Myers wrote.

The Ledger-Enquirer didn’t reach Myers, Thomas and McRae for comment Monday.

On June 26, while Myers was absent, the nine-member board unanimously voted 8-0 to table until the July 11 work session the item board chairwoman Pat Hugley Green of District 1 had placed on the agenda: “Board consideration of hiring independent counsel for potential accreditation matters related to board conduct.”

The issue arose June 21, when Myers emailed the attorneys representing Montravious Thomas and his mother, who sued the Muscogee County School District and other defendants for $25 million. The lawsuit alleges contracted behavioral specialist Bryant Mosley body-slammed Montravious, then 13, “no less than” five times while trying to discipline him Sept. 12 in the Edgewood Student Services Center. The lawsuit also alleges the injuries Montravious suffered during the confrontation resulted in his right leg being amputated below the knee Oct. 18.

In that email, Myers wrote, “I have what I believe is very relevant information regarding that case. I believe the evidence I possess would be very important to the goal of seeing that justice is served upon everyone involved in this matter.”

Myers asked Montravious’ attorneys to “put me under subpoena and take my deposition regarding these issues in the very near future.”

Myers added, “I am also authorized to share with you that John Thomas would not object to being placed under subpoena for the same purpose.”

This story was originally published July 3, 2017 at 11:05 PM with the headline "MCSD board members exchange contentious Facebook posts."