By Corinne Murdock |

The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) governing board silenced a grandmother’s speech for calling public schools “evil” in a public comments portion of a meeting earlier this month.

Janet Klepacz was discussing her appreciation for Department of Education Superintendent Tom Horne implementing an optional curriculum from PragerU, a conservative nonprofit that supplies free educational materials. Klepacz’s contested speech included a Bible passage referenced to compare the quality and state of public school education to the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt.

“Pray with me, believers, as I paraphrase Exodus 3:7-8 for today’s Peoria’s schools’ and board’s evil: we are awakening Lord God to our children, our grandchildren’s cries and misery of the suffering you have literally seen,” said Klepacz. “God, come down and rescue our children now from the evil government federal schools —”

It was then that board member Melissa Ewing interrupted Klepacz. Ewing raised a point of order on Klepacz’s language: specifically, the fact that Klepacz accused public schools of being evil places. Ewing didn’t specify what Klepacz said that constituted a rules violation.

“The language being used about ‘the evil,’” said Ewing.

Board President Becky Proudfit then elaborated on Ewing’s point of order. Proudfit directed Klepacz to adjust her speech to not say that public schools were evil.

“I think what she’s referring to is not what is being said, but rather how it’s being said, and the rules for public comment is to not openly attack any members of the board or the public,” said Proudfit. “Please continue with that in mind.”

Klepacz continued, only lasting a few more seconds before Proudfit called another point of order.

“Rescue our children now, God, from the federal government school, pushing documents on our children wrapped up under educational learning,” began Klepacz.

Proudfit again interrupted Klepacz. She claimed that Klepacz’s accusation of “pushing” certain documents wasn’t allowed.

“I’m sorry, the language,” said Proudfit. “How you’re speaking about, saying that ‘we are pushing.’”

Klepacz challenged Proudfit’s judgment, arguing that her speech was protected by the Constitution.

“Well, guess what: my words, I feel it, I see it. It is! That’s what free speech is, hello?” responded Klepacz.

The board’s interruptions of Klepacz didn’t go unnoticed.

Although most of the other parents that spoke after Klepacz addressed their grievances with PUSD’s decision to move public comment to the end of meetings, another parent and PUSD board candidate, Jeff Tobey, spoke against the treatment of Klepacz.

Tobey said the interruptions were a potential violation of Klepacz’s constitutional right to free speech. Tobey suggested that the board read up on free speech court cases, referencing Ninth Circuit Court decisions on criticisms of public officials.

“The encounter that I just witnessed really bothered me just now, because as a Jew, obviously I don’t necessarily believe in Jesus Christ, but I respect somebody coming up here and voicing their opposition to policies that are being presented as a district or feelings that they have on the matter or thoughts that incorporate an aspect of religion: we have to respect that, whether we believe it or not,” said Tobey. “I believe that in squelching that, you might have infringed on her rights.”

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.