Ed Sheffield holding sign and wearing a mask (Santa Rosa City Schools Board Meeting)
A Santa Rosa Schools Board member is responding to a racial slur. At their May 10th board meeting, trustee Ed Sheffield, who is half black and half white, was called a racial slur by Shelby Pryor, a regular attendee and commentator at Santa Rosa City Schools board meetings who is also mixed race. During the May 24th meeting last week, Sheffield put on a raccoon mask and held up a sign made by his children that said “Talk to the Racoon.” Sheffield said public comment at school board meetings needs to be about schools.
“That said, call me names, try to hurt my feelings and (spout) whatever conspiracy theories that you subscribe to, and unless you cross the line, and we’ll have to take the mic when you do, you’re free to talk until you’re blue in the face, but that doesn’t mean that I’m listening,” Sheffield said.
Pryor has had a history of combative and abusive comments at public meetings. He previously threatened Supervisor James Gore and his family during a supervisor meeting, which resulted in a restraining order.