Cherokee Tribune – Hearing provides more ammunition against Marlow

Earlier this week, the Board of Education held a hearing on a violation of ethics charge against BOE member Kelly Marlow.

The board imposed sanctions on Ms. Marlow and voted that a part of the cost of the hearing —$3,600 — be deducted from the money she gets monthly for serving on the board.

However, hitting her in her wallet does not ensure that Ms. Marlow’s conduct will change.

Perhaps the most telling statement about how Ms. Marlow found herself in this predicament is something she said at one of her first BOE meetings, “I’m not sure what my role is anymore.”

Unless the role of a member of the Board of Education is to create chaos that detracts the board’s attention away from anything remotely relative to providing the best education for Cherokee County’s children, Ms. Marlow truly does not understand her role.

Her lack of understanding of school policies was evident when she told Superintendent Frank Petruzielo he needed to make a motion and vote on it.

It was then explained to Ms. Marlow that the school superintendent is not allowed to make a motion or vote.

Surely Ms. Marlow has a copy of the board’s policies and procedures. Admittedly, it is lengthy and not exciting reading. However, anyone who serves on any board is expected to do their homework and learn the rules.

Ms. Marlow has said she campaigned on shining a light onto the finances of the system and that is what she has attempted to do.

All board members are given copies of the school system budget.

Everyone has access to it on the school system website.

The entire budget, with exhibits, etc., is not just a few pages long. Explaining what the plans are for spending about one-half or a billion dollars takes lots of space.