Trigg Parents Unload Ire At School Board Meeting

Thursday evening’s Trigg County Board of Education meeting opened differently than most, when three parents — each with differing degrees of frustration — lobbed what they believe to be serious concerns about long-time retired teacher and board member Charlene Sheehan.

At the epicenter: a Facebook post with photos and video sent by Sheehan over the weekend — since taken down — that called attention to fair use of the West Cadiz Park’s new playground equipment, and some older middle-school-aged teens and preteens allegedly acting out around her toddler grandson and some other younger children. The Cadiz Police Department was briefly dispatched to the situation, only for no charges to be filed, nor any criminal act duly recorded.

Kevin Hestand, of King’s Chapel Road, claimed Sheehan used her personal accounts to “cyberbully and ridicule minor children, and their families” with photos and videos that generated more than 230 public comments and multiple shares.

He called Sheehan’s efforts “obsessive and unwanted attention,” and said her actions were “perverted” and highlighted “the side of a privileged woman with voted stature who could, and do, and say whatever she wanted.”

Hestand then read aloud several public comments, many of which have been screenshotted and saved by families and local law enforcement officials.

Dawn Pickett, of Hopkinsville Road, said Sheehan “imposed an opinion” about students aged 10-through-14, and called for her resignation.

Amber Way, of South Road, cited the situation as “unfunny.”

She also specifically defended her son.

Kerry Sweno, of Crestview Lane, and a retired long-running educator of Trigg County Schools, tried to bring some neutrality to the issue.

Sheehan was offered a chance to comment, but declined, and no actions were taken during, or after, the meeting.

As an elected official, and according to state law, a member of a school council can be removed for cause, but only after an opportunity for a hearing before the local board, and only by a four-fifths vote of the board’s membership. There must be recommendations from a chief state school officer, and written notices setting out the charges for removal must be spread on the minutes of the board, and given to the questioned member of the school council.

Furthermore, state law also notates that any “conduct detrimental” must be filed by written complaint with the Office of Education Accountability, and that such office can investigate the complaint and resolve the conflict, if possible, before it’s forwarded to the Kentucky Board of Education.

If the state board determines a violation has occurred, the defendant will first be subject to reprimand, while a second violation can be grounds for dismissal of an employee in office.

Jurisdiction of West Cadiz Park, meanwhile, does reside within the city’s power, but is not considered school property, and is thoroughly governed by federal law with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Officially in Kentucky, cyberbullying — if prosecuted — is a Class B misdemeanor. It falls under harassing communications, and could theoretically lead to a defendant facing up to 90 days in jail with fines around $250 if convicted.

Also, so many questions remain.

Who is truly at fault, if both parties feel affronted?
Why was social media used as a tool of judgment?
Has there been any conflict resolution, problem solving or co-existence administered in this issue?
Do older children have enough outdoor options inside the Cadiz city limits?
And outside of those built by local law enforcement, what rules and regulations exist inside of a public playground?