Sarai McNeill Speaks Out

Sarai McNeill

My name is Sarai McNeill, I'm 17 and I go to Southbridge Middle/High School.

On November 12, 2014 I spoke during Public Input at the Southbridge School Committee meeting. I wasn't able to get everything out that I wanted because I was told I was not allowed to say it during Public Input.

As soon as the school committee meeting ended, Mrs. McLoughlin asked if I wanted to tell her anything and I agreed so that way I could explain what I was originally going to say at the podium. She pulled me aside to an area outside of the Council Chambers and she advised me to wait until the people passing by were gone and once she gave me the go ahead, I began. 

Shutting Her Down Was Wrong

Ken O’Brien

Last Wednesday Southbridge High Senior Sarai McNeill attempted to voice her criticisms of the school Superintendent during the Public Input session prior to the School Committee meeting.

She was quickly interrupted by School Committee member Brent Abrahamson. He opined that her remarks violated the committee’s policy against criticizing school personnel in open session. His point was just as quickly validated by Chairman McLoughlin. 

The Teen And The Trolls

Ken O’Brien

Once upon a time a brave young girl was troubled by events at her school.

Determined to make things better she screwed up her courage. She took her issues to the local committee in charge of her school to lodge her complaint. However, she was unaware that it was the policy of the committee not to allow any public criticism of their personnel. The trolls who viewed it as their mission to keep things hidden from the public quickly cut her off.

Crestfallen, the young girl returned to her seat. Fortunately, she had said just enough to allow the discerning public to ascertain the truth she sought to reveal. Also, she had learned a valuable lesson about trying to deal with problems in an open and forthright manner in her little village.