His committee, Palacios said, met on Wednesday last week to review some of the allegations made by MHS teacher James Yangetmai against Garrison.
The House panel, Palacios added, decided to hold a public hearing tomorrow in the House chamber to hear from the members of the community.
Garrison has described the hearing as “pure micro-management” and a “clear waste of public money.”
Palacios said the purpose of the public hearing is to find out if the allegations of Yangetmai are true or not. It will also provide those involved in the issue the opportunity to testify.
He wants to ensure that retaliation and other “repercussions” won’t happen.
His committee, he added, does not want to infringe on the Public School System’s role in dealing with the controversy.
“But when issues arise about very serious allegations, I believe we have every right to be given the chance to at least grant those affected the opportunity to air their concerns,” Palacios said.
PSS, he added, should have intervened.
“But I believe that was not the case here and that is probably why these individuals had chosen this route and that is the reason for this hearing,” he said.
The House committee’s position, he added, is not to punish anyone but to shed light on the controversy.
Late in April, Yangetmai and supporters staged protest actions urging for the removal of Garrison.
