Anticipation was in the air prior to Thursday night’s Wentzville School District board meeting. Journalism students from Timberland High School were preparing to state their case in opposition of Timberland Principal Winston Rogers’ decision to cut articles from the school newspaper, The Wolf’s Howl. The latest article to be chopped addressed the topic of tattooing.

Students were upset not only about censorship in their newspaper, but also because touchy situations such as this caused them to lose their respected advisor, Cathy McCandless. It has been previously reported that McCandless is planning to step away from journalism mentoring.

The crowd sported unified green t-shirts, reading “Team McCandless” on the fronts and “Censor this” on the backs. Two on-duty Wentzville police officers also showed for the meeting. Law enforcement presence is uncharacteristic at Wentzville School Board meetings.

It was standing room only as the meeting began. So many were in attendance, some had to peer through the glass wall from the entrance area.

Before the open forum portion of the meeting, Board President Dale Schaper announced only the first five speakers on the sign-up sheet would be allowed to speak. The decision to place a limit on the open forum session was in accordance with the district’s policy #0412.

The first speaker during open forum addressed a topic unrelated to the Timberland controversy; yet the following four speakers were all in support of Mr. Rogers’ decisions.

Disappointment and frustration became apparent as the green-shirted group realized the first five speakers would not include someone stating their side of the censorship issue. There were about a dozen speakers wishing to speak.

After the open forum session, the journalism crowd filed to the foyer. Shouts such as “We will be heard in the media” rang through. Some students duct taped their own mouths shut.

News crews followed the mass. Students spoke their minds to cameras and each other.

Meanwhile, inside the meeting, board member Michael Cecil suggested the board allow someone to speak on behalf of the restless group. Though this suggestion seemed to create tension among board members, it was agreed to allow one speaker. Wentzville School District School/Community Relations Director, Matthew Deichmann, delivered the news to the crowd in the foyer. It seemed the group decided in unison to have The Wolf’s Howl co-editor Nikki McGee be the one to best express their thoughts.

After the meeting, sccworlds.com approached Superintendent Dr. Terry Adams regarding the situation. View video to hear Dr. Adams’ comments.

McCandless was not at the meeting. A reliable source told sccworlds.com McCandless will transfer to Wentzville Middle School and teach 8th grade English in the fall.

Videos of the entire school board meeting will be available on sccworlds.com in the following days.