Community Voices: Four Public Comments Defending RIH Mental Health Programs After BOE Defunding Controversy

Here are individual links to excerpts from the July 24th RIH BOE meeting, featuring members of the public: Michelle Clancy, Kathie Schwartz, Margaret Bennett, and Maryanne Kopp. There were nine statements in total made during public comments regarding the student mental health programs on the agenda, of which only four criticized the Board for their votes to defund the programs. These excerpts capture the four statements after the vote to fund these programs failed to pass.

Michelle Clancy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhSUZBTx4g&t=1243s

Kathie Schwartz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhSUZBTx4g&t=1360s

Margaret Bennett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhSUZBTx4g&t=1597s

Maryanne Kopp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhSUZBTx4g&t=1752s

Here is additional background on these individuals:

Michelle Clancy - President of RIHEA and an Oakland Resident

Kathie Schwartz - Retired 12 Yr Member of the Franklin Lakes K8 BOE

Margaret Bennett - Franklin Lakes Resident

Maryanne Kopp - Indian Hills Special Ed Teacher

Note that the entire video has been indexed, in the video description under "Timecodes" links are provided to bring you to each specific excerpt of the meeting.