TROUTMAN POLICE CHIEF ENDS OFF-DUTY SECURITY ASSIGNMENTS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS Troutman, NC - Troutman Police Chief Josh Watson has notified Iredell Statesville Schools that, effective October 26, 2026, his officers will no longer be authorized to work off-duty security assignments at Board of Education meetings. The decision follows an October 12 incident in which Board Chairman Doug Knight requested the removal of a man who was reading sexually explicit excerpts from a book reportedly available in Lake Norman High School’s library. The excerpts included descriptions of sexual acts and anatomy that Firewire will not repeat in this post. Troutman officers handled the situation calmly and politely asked the man to leave. In his letter, Chief Watson cited concerns about the legal basis for requested removals, the protection of constitutional rights, and the expectations placed on officers assigned to these meetings. “A request from the presiding officer does not, by itself, establish sufficient legal grounds for removal, detention, or arrest,” Watson wrote. The board and school administration will now need to arrange alternative meeting security. Troutman Police will continue responding to calls for law enforcement assistance at board meetings within their jurisdiction. Officers may also continue working approved off-duty assignments at school sporting events and other school activities. Firewire applauds Chief Watson for recognizing that officers must independently determine whether enforcement action is legally justified. His letter raises serious concerns about how requests to remove members of the public are handled. Firewire's position is simple: If a book is appropriate for students to access in a school library, school board members should be willing to hear its contents discussed during public comment. If board members find those passages too graphic to hear at a meeting, they should be willing to explain why the material is appropriate for students to read in private. Excellent job, Chief Watson. @isschools

This is such a fun book. It's a great read aloud + it inspires kids to go outside to make nature art. There's a fantastic leaf identification guide at the back that's incredibly helpful too 🍁 🍂