The lawsuit against the Spotsylvania school board, specifically the conservative majority, is set to be heard at 10am this Friday. However, the suit hasn't been received well on all sides.
Many critics have dismissed the lawsuit as lacking merit, and being politically charged. A common argument being that the suits' targeting only the conservative members is intended to absolve the liberal minority of the board of any responsibility.
The Edwards Lawfirm PLLC has denied these allegations, however, stating that the lawsuit on behalf of Makaila Keyes is not political in nature:
"Our client is pursuing legal action against members who may have violated the law - this case has nothing to do with a liberal vs. conservative agenda-"
They stated, in a Facebook post.
When asked about the intentions of the case, Makaila Keyes, a recent graduate of Courtland High School, said the same thing:
"The investigation applies to ALL board members and a recall will be pursued if warranted -- This has nothing to do with politics."
Keyes said.
Regardless of these statements, many people felt that Keyes and the firm were just trying to subdue any questioning or opposition.
Keyes' claim that the investigation is against all board members, is false. In a rather revealing response by the Edwards Law Firm, they confirmed that the 3 liberal members of the board were not being investigated, and only the conservative members were:
"The unlisted members (Shelley, Daniels, Cole) protested the actions from which the case arises, and are thus not herein named."
They said.
In other words, the liberal members on the board disagree with the actions of the conservative majority, so they are absolved of any responsibility regarding the alleged FOIA violations that took place at the January 10th meeting.
We must note that the alleged FOIA violations at the January 10th meeting, arise from the fact that the board held a closed meeting, where they voted to fire superintendent Scott Baker.
It is clear that this lawsuit is in fact, political. It is the product of a months long campaign to get rid of the conservative majority because they fired Scott Baker. A campaign that has been supported by Makaila Keyes, her supporters, and even the attorneys of the Edwards Law Firm.
Fred Edwards, a partner and leading voice for the Lawfirm, has been seen attending multiple board meetings. Below is an image of him speaking with failed school board candidate Rich Lieberman and NAACP president, Moe Pettway.
The image was taken 3/14; the same day the lawsuit was announced.
This image raises many questions about the intentions of The Edwards Law Firm, and who they are really here to serve.
The gentlemen (in the brown) that Edwards is speaking to, is Moe Petway. He is the president of the Spotsylvania NAACP, a group that has recently been advocating for change, for what they call, "Systemic Racism". Moe reportedly has close ties with both Edwards, and ex-board member, Baron Braswell.
The gentlemen Fred Edwards is speaking with in the red ( Rich Lieberman) has been a vocal critic of Twigg, and has held multiple protests advocating for the removal of the conservative majority. It is no surprise the Edwards Law Firm has a personal relationship with Lieberman.
Lieberman also has connections to the largest teachers union in Spotsylvania, the SEA. The president, Clarence Collins, said this about Lieberman and his activist group:
"Our membership decided to join with a community group which is sponsoring 'We Love Our Educators' rally."
Clarence Stated.
"We Love Our Educators", is an activist group founded by Rich Lieberman in November of 2021. This same group has been actively working to remove Twigg, and the conservatives majority since January, and it's no surprise they have connections with Lieberman, and Fred Edwards.
Additionally, the Edwards Law Firm claiming to be entirely non-partisan and credible, is a claim worth questioning. On their own website they describe themselves as largely dealing with real estate, but they also have practice in another area; political law.
Below is an image from their website:
So not only do they have expertise in the political field, they seem to have a rather cordial relationship with Lieberman and others, who have previously run to prevent conservative Lisa Phelps from being on the board. Now they are suing her.
It is clear that this lawsuit is not the result of one student, or one action. Rather, it is the result of an ongoing group effort to penalize the conservative majority and take back the school board.
The sheer amount of connections between the Edwards firm, the failed school board candidates, the NAACP, and the largest teachers union in Spotsylvania is enough to encourage people to question the validity and intention of this "non-political" lawsuit.
This is more than Makaila Keyes, and this is more than The Edwards Law Firm; This is a large movement of politicians, teachers, and lawyers that are working tirelessly to remove the conservative majority, and it cannot be emphasized enough that they should be questioned and criticized for dong all of this under the guise of 'justice' for students.
