AUGUSTA — A Philadelphia-based civil liberties group is accusing the Augusta School Board of violating attendees’ First Amendment rights during public meetings.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, says it reviewed archived video from board meetings after a community member submitted the case.

Program counselor Brennen Vanderveen said they determined that Augusta School Board chair Martha Witham was properly enforcing the school board’s public participation guidelines as written in city statute.

“You’re not permitted to share gossip, to make negative comments, or use abusive or vulgar language,” said Augusta School Board Chair Martha Witham during the meeting. “No comments on personnel are allowed in any way.”

However, Vanderveen said the group determined that

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