A recognizable Shakespearean phrase, “Thou doth protest too much”, is a commonly used expression to describe someone’s excessive denials that suggest those disclaimers are insincere and blatantly false. Such was the case at the February 16th school board meeting when Board President Eric Lawson attempted to normalize his recent attempts to suppress public comment at board meetings by intimidating and threatening community members.

Lawson claimed that stationing sheriff deputies at board meetings, as he did, is not unusual and not unprecedented…that it happened prior to his time as president. Perhaps so, but what he failed to say is that he had sheriff deputies stationed at board meetings to forcibly remove anyone who might clap. Not only would this be a violation of First Amendment Rights, but it’s just plain silly and ridiculous. Silly enough that it became a viral state-wide talking point and an embarrassment for our school system.

Additionally Lawson said that advising community members to consult with an attorney prior to speaking during public comment time to avoid a defamation lawsuit, as he did, is also not unusual. There is nothing usual, or ordinary, about a school board president threatening community members with a defamation lawsuit. In fact, this is most certainly unprecedented.

Lawson’s weak and insincere disclaimers are akin to trying to put toothpaste back into the tube. Very difficult to do once it’s out there, particularly since there is video evidence of him saying and doing these exact things. Attempts to gaslight the community will not work here.

None of this is usual or customary behavior and can’t be normalized. Lawson’s attempts to intimidate and threaten community members must come from a point of tremendous insecurity and an inability to provide effective and appropriate school board leadership. Our community and our school system deserve so much better.

Diane O’Connor