League Statements

LWV MCC President Issues Statement of Concern to the Cobb County School Board Regarding Public Meeting Comments

August 8, 2025

LWV MCC President Monica Granderson issued a statement to the Cobb County School Board expressing deep concern over their recent change to curtail dissemination of comments made at public board meetings.

On July 17, 2025, the board members  voted 4-3  to stop broadcasting or live-streaming public comments at board meetings.  The meetings themselves are still being broadcast.  

The full text of the statement is shown below.

Cobb County School Board Members,

The League of Women Voters Marietta-Cobb County (LWV Marietta Cobb Inc.) is deeply concerned by the Cobb County School Board’s recent vote to change its policy regarding the recording and dissemination of public comments during board meetings.

This policy shift raises serious concerns not only about government transparency and public accountability, but also about the protection of First Amendment rights. The ability of individuals to speak openly and on the public record to elected officials is a foundational principle of democratic governance. Curtailing the recording or accessibility of these comments risks chilling public participation and undermining the community's trust in its governing institutions.

The First Amendment guarantees the right of individuals to freely express their views, particularly when addressing government bodies on matters of public interest. Public comment periods are a vital civic space where voices—especially those that may be marginalized or in disagreement with the majority—deserve to be heard and preserved as part of the public record.

Limiting access to these recorded comments compromises the public’s right to be informed and restricts the ability of residents who are unable to attend in person to understand the full scope of dialogue occurring in their school board meetings.

The League of Women Voters Marietta-Cobb County strongly urges the Cobb County School Board to reverse this policy change. We call on board members to reaffirm their commitment to transparency, public engagement, and constitutional rights.

We remain steadfast in our advocacy for open, accountable, and responsive government—and we encourage all community members to remain engaged and vocal in defense of democratic principles.