PPISD trustee, Amy McEvoy, gets reminder

By Basil Gist

Staff Writer

       Community concerns regarding Pilot Point ISD trustee Amy McEvoy’s frequent social media posts regarding city of Pilot Point issues, including the recent recall petition, led the board to address member responsibilities in an executive session item that named McEvoy.

       Two members of the community, Steven Birkelbach and petitioner Kelley Burgess, appeared to speak on McEvoy’s behalf while several others, including Post-Signal Editor and Publisher Abigail Allen, Bonnie Ambrose and others spoke about concerns regarding her actions.

       “I’d like to address misinformation that I’m aware of in the community and on social media regarding the agenda item,” Board President Renee Polk said. “I’m speaking about social media and community comments that could have been construed as saying there was going to be a board member removed or disciplined tonight. That is simply not true.”

       Birkelbach, who has taken to Facebook consistently in past months to speak against the council’s actions and other issues, and Justine Scott, who fought the city in years prior over her own First Amendment rights, made parallel arguments about the example McEvoy and the board should set for the students of PPISD.

       “Don’t teach or show the kids how to muzzle someone’s thoughts, someone’s free speech,” Birkelbach said. “Show the kids that it’s OK to stand up for what you believe in, teach them they will get their feelings hurt and teach them how to process those feelings.”

       Scott cited several of McEvoy’s recent comments directed at the city and council in her speech, such as, “Complaining could get you sued by the council, they will retaliate,” and “They are cowards working in darkness.”

       “Do not spread these inflammatory generalizations that are just designed to hurt people and tear us apart,” Scott said. “When we disagree, we need to engage in respectful civil discourse. We need to show our young people that we are capable of that because respect for each other matters.”

       Burgess spoke to the board about the work McEvoy had been a part of and weighed that against her comments online.

        “If she is being disciplined, … I can’t imagine she’s done anything that is worthy of putting her name on that public agenda,” Burgess said. “That in and of itself defames her, calls her into question and I can’t see that being accurate.”

       Pilot Point Mayor Elisa Beasley said she felt similarly about the public manner in which the board addressed McEvoy’s behavior in a phone call to Polk before the meeting in a phone interview on Tuesday. 

       “I felt that if this was about anything having to do with social media, with the recall, things like that, that it would probably be better if the president spoke to her directly and handled it so she wouldn’t bring all this drama that seems to be permeating her town into her chambers,” Beasley said.

       She also shared her view on the greater public climate at present.

       “Speak to each other and fix it,” Beasley said. “Regardless of if you’re sitting on a seat as a leader, as a volunteer, on a board, words matter. Watch your words. Stop talking about each other and start talking to each other. This is not about free speech; it’s about communication.”

       During her public comments during the meeting, Joyce Duesman and others called for the board and other public officials to hold themselves to a higher standard.

       “We expect you to put your board positions first, before your own self-interests and personal opinions,” Duesman said. “That is hardly too much to ask as an elected official. I strongly suggest that if there is a board member that can’t put the best interest of the school district first, … they should resign and go be the social media agitator they so prefer to be.”

       During her first statement, Polk cited district policy regarding public conduct for board members.

       “Our code of ethics specifically addresses the need for each of us individually to demonstrate equity in attitude, trustworthiness, good stewardship, honorable conduct, integrity of character, commitment to service, and student-centered focus,” Polk quoted. “Our board strives to meet these goals.”

       After the board returned from its executive session, Polk issued a final statement on the matter.

       “The board met and reviewed our policies and procedures,” Polk said. “We refreshed our understanding of our roles and responsibilities, and we are confident we will work together to do what is in the best interest of the Pilot Point ISD community and students.”

       McEvoy declined to comment. Her social media posts and comments about city business have been absent from Pilot Point Idle Chatter since the night of the meeting.