CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — UPDATE:

“BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS! Blood on your hands, all of you! I swear to God, I’m so sick of this!”

Tempers flared and patience was short at a meeting of the Hamilton County School Board Thursday night. One school board member walked out, and another threw a stack of what he said were hundreds of emails from his constituents onto the floor in front of him.

The ‘blood on your hands’ comment came from District 11 Member Jill Black, near the end of the meeting, after dozens of speakers shared their thoughts about whether the board should reinstate a private company’s on-campus mental health treatment for kids.

Board members voted last month to discontinue Centerstone’s services. Some of them said they had concerns Centerstone workers were pushing an ideological agenda.

Many commenters agreed at Thursday’s meeting. One Centerstone opponent said she was alarmed at the growing number of gay people in this country. Another held a photo of slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk while she spoke. A third announced that instead of reading her prepared remarks, she was going to pray. Still another accused Centerstone of ‘victimhood narratives.

Another explained

Centerstone puts ideological beliefs before protecting students. That is actively harming children under their care. Parents should always be fully informed about any counseling or mental health interventions involving their children.

But just as many people spoke out in defense of Cornerstone’s services.

One said, to cheers,

Removing Centerstone does not just end a contract. It disrupts continuity of care for the very students who need it most.

Another told board members

This decision will have irreparable consequences for children, families, and our community; and each of you have to take responsibility for that.

A student, Reed Hampton, said he supported Centerstone, and said

All children thrive and experience a future without limits. That’s the goal.

District 6 Board Member Ben Connor pulled out a stack of papers, saying they were printouts of “500 emails” he had gotten from his constituents in support of Centerstone.

He threw the stack of papers in front of him onto the floor for dramatic effect.

However, only moments later, board members vote 7-4 to table board member Connor’s bid to bring Centerstone back.

Board members Jill Black stormed out of the building shortly after in frustration over the outcome of the vote.

The board will consider the issue once again at its meeting next month.

Depend on us to keep you posted.

EARLIER:

The Hamilton County School Board is hearing from passionate parents about their decision to end a private mental health treatment company’s contract with the school district.

Thursday night marked the implementation of several new policies at Hamilton County’s school board meetings, coinciding with protests and a push from at least one board member to reinstate mental health services for students.

Watch the meeting below:

At issue is whether Hamilton County Schools should continue its partnership with Centerstone, a private company that provides mental health services for students in school. Parents opt in for the treatment, and pay for Centerstone services out of their own pockets.

But concerns over Centerstone’s practices prompted the school board to vote to terminate its contract with Centerstone. Many parents supporters of Centerstone say that move left them scrambling to find alternative treatments.

But some school board members shared concerns about whether Centerstone workers are advancing a political agenda.

Attendees at the meeting faced new rules, including security checks with wands for weapons and a limit of 120 people allowed inside at a time.

Once someone is finished speaking, they’re required to leave the building.

Outside the board room, demonstrators gathered to advocate for the return of Centerstone’s mental health services.

Elizabeth Haley, Executive Director of Seed Theatre, expressed the determination of the protesters.

We have a significant number of people who are planning to come out onto the grass, to also show up and be heard, with signs and with their voices,” she said. “Since Hamilton County school board refused to have a listening session, we do not refuse to be heard, we will not be silenced, we will be heard by our representatives, and the constituents will have their way.

District 6 board member Ben Connor proposed a background check for Centerstone employees, addressing concerns from other board members about who would be treating students.

The memorandum of understanding would restore and reinstate Centerstone’s counseling services with Hamilton County Schools. The vote on this proposal is scheduled for the end of the night’s agenda.

We have a crew at the Hamilton County School Board meeting as it progresses. Depend on us to keep you posted, and check this story later for updates.