Lee County school board member says she feels bullied by colleagues

Lee County schools board member Melisa Giovanelli no longer feels safe at its meetings after an incident with a colleague a few months ago.

“I wouldn’t have to think that way except I had spoke out then and then I had a confrontation and a hallway when nobody else was around,” Giovanelli said. “I actually had a hurt shoulder from that. I don’t want to be bullied any longer.”

Fast forward to last week when she said another board member, Cathleen Morgan, kicked Giovanelli’s husband out of the debrief following their meeting.

She thinks her outspokenness against the proposed sales tax increase is the reason.

“I actually have my husband come because I haven’t been feeling comfortable and safe myself,” Giovanelli said. “Things happen when hes not there that should’ve happened.”

Giovanelli’s husband is a police officer. He came to the meeting directly from work. He was in full uniform. Morgan did not think that was allowed.

“It’s my understanding that at school district policy that only SROs are permitted to carry weapons in the board offices,” Cathleen Morgan said, referencing school resource officers.

We checked with the district. There is not a policy in place. But it was in practice.

Morgan said she is not aware of any tension.

“I’m not aware of anybody has in anyway done anything or said anything that would make her feel she’s not part of the team,” Morgan said.

A parent who witnessed last week’s incident said it proves that isn’t true.

“When our elected officials act like children, it’s just wrong,” Ramie Hall said, a parent. “They have a vendetta if you’re not with them, you’re against them. And that’s exactly what they did to Melisa.”

Giovanelli agrees with that sentiment. She said she will continue to stand up for what she believes.

“We need to be more transparent,” Giovanelli said. “We need to be open. It’s a culture that is the change.”