Schools

Only 100 People Allowed at Kelly Marlow Ethics Hearing

No clapping, heckling, cheering, bringing signs or wearing clothing with opinions about Cherokee school board members or issues will be allowed.

UPDATE AT 5:01p.m.: The Cherokee County School District will provide a live video broadcast of the ethics hearing at Cherokee High School's auditorium, District Spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said.

The broadcast will start at 6 p.m., and doors will open at the auditorium at 5:30 p.m. 

"Audience members will be asked to refrain from making comments and other reactions during the broadcast so that everyone may hear the proceedings," Jacoby said.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cherokee High School is located at 930 Marietta Highway in Canton. 

ORIGINAL STORY

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While next week's ethics hearing for Cherokee County School Board member Kelly Marlow will be sure to draw a large crowd, only 100 people will be allowed inside to view the proceedings. 

Hugh M. Dorsey III, the hearing officer who will preside over the Oct. 2 hearing, has outlined several requests ahed of the quasi-judicial hearing, the Cherokee County School District said on Wednesday: 

  • only 100 members of the public will be admitted to the auditorium, which does not include school board members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo and his cabinet, School Board Attorney Tom Roach, Dorsey, the court reporter, Marlow's attorney or members of the press.
  • The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the first 100 people waiting in line will be admitted by Cherokee County School District police officers, who Dorsey requested to provide security. 
  • The hearing will be recorded on video and made public on the district's website. 
  • Dorsey has also imposed stipulations when it comes to the behavior and appearance of audience members: no comments, or other reactions such as cheering, clapping or heckling will be tolerated; and no signs or other displays — including messages printed on clothing — that reflect personal opinions regarding board members or other issues related to the hearing will be allowed.
The hearing will get underway at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at the historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium, located at 111 Academy Street in Canton. 

Marlow is accused of not adhering to the school district's governing structure and ignoring guidelines outlining how she should conduct herself as a board member

She also allegedly ignored the board's chain of command in sending a letter to AdvancED that accuses her fellow board members of being unable to govern "effectively." 

AdvancED reviewed Marlow's complaint and eventually ruled the district was not in violation of its policies. 

Marlow, along with partner Robert Trim and resident Barbara Knowles, were all arrested in July and charged in relation to Knowles accusing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo of trying to run her over with his vehicle as he was leaving the June 13 board meeting. 

Knowles was charged with making a false report of a crime and making false statements while both Trim and Marlow were charged with making false statements. 

A Cherokee County grand jury next month is slated to review the charges and decide whether to indict the three individuals. 

Don't miss any news from Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch! Subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here. Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Woodstock-Towne Lake