Dave Bondy worked as a journalist for 25 years. At Dave’s last job he was the main anchor and digital content manager for Fox and NBC affiliated TV stations in Flint. He has over 700,000 followers on social media.

Embarrassingly, Alpena Public Schools made statewide news when Dave Bondy shared that Eric Lawson, president of our school board banned clapping. On Facebook alone there were 159 comments and 284 views. This doesn’t include his YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts. View at https://youtu.be/A5rzITgeMRQ.

Dave Bondy states, “Is this real? I understand some meetings can get out of control, but an occasional clap shouldn’t be a problem.”

Comments include:

I’d clap harder and stand while doing so

People stand taller, clap louder & smile while doing it

Clapping is protected speech

Freedom of speech

This is an easy court victory

Ludicrous

That’s my local school board tackling the tough topics

That’s crazy

Good thing that they look at the important things

They want no emotions, no reactions, just zombies

Goes to show you someone has never read the constitution

How ridiculous

Unreal. They work for the public!

Seems to me they should be focusing more on educating their students

Ban the people who banned clapping

Post the school board website so folks from around the world can let them know how ignorant they are

And lots of clapping and shaking head GIFs

Many suggested alternatives such as a tambourine, signs, kazoos, symbols, stomping and snapping your fingers (but they thought this might sound like the Addam’s Family).

Only a couple comments supported no clapping.

Mr. Lawson, do you really want to make “national” news because clapping is banned at APS school board meetings? This is embarrassing and Bondy’s followers are laughing at the APS board.

BARBARA BEAMISH,

Alpena