Brevard County Commission Votes To Sue School Board
By Space Coast Daily // February 19, 2013
COUNTY GOVERNMENT & EDUCATION
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – During today’s meeting of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, commissioners voted to sue the Brevard County School Board in an effort to prevent the closure of three Brevard County schools.
Andy Anderson and Trudie Infantini voted nay in a 3-2 vote that would approve legal action against the Brevard School Board. After the vote, Brevard County Attorney Scott Knox informed the commission that a “super-majority,” or at least a 4-1 vote, was necessary in order to sue the school board for an injunction to halt the school closure process. As a result of Knox’s information, the commission voted again, with the same 3-2 result.
“Unfortunately, the superintendent and some others have divided this community in my opinion,” said District 1 Commissioner Robin Fisher, who cast his vote to take legal action against the school board, along with Commissioners Chuck Nelson and Mary Bolin.
“I don’t believe they think my opinion is important. They said they wanted our input, but when we tried to give it to them they didn’t take it,” said Fisher.
“The last thing I’m going to do is go sue somebody before I’ve had an opportunity to discuss all the options available,” said Trudie Infantini.
During a meeting last week, the Brevard County School Board voted to close South Lake Elementary School in Titusville, Gardendale Elementary School in Merritt Island and Clearlake Middle School in Cocoa.
“The last thing I’m going to do is go sue somebody before I’ve had an opportunity to discuss all the options available,” said Infantini.
Commissioners voted unanimously to begin a conflict-resolution proceeding with Brevard County School officials in an effort to reverse the closing of the three schools.
When one government sues another we, the taxpayers, lose no matter who wins, because we pay for all of it.