The charges against Mancos School Board member Beverly Humiston-Scott were officially dropped Tuesday morning in Montezuma County Court, but not before a lecture from the judge and a visit from the district attorney.
Montezuma County Court Judge JenniLynn Everett Lawrence signed off on District Attorney William Furse’s motion to dismiss the charges with a word of caution.
“The state can choose not to prosecute a case,” Lawrence said. “I certainly hope these incidents will not be repeating themselves.”
The July arrest occurred after Humiston-Scott and the board were discussing her public rebuke, or censure, that accused her of bullying, intimidating and harassing administrative and support staff.
She was asked to stay on topic several times when she accused the board of violating state sunshine laws by deciding to censure her without a public discussion.
She was reportedly asked to leave multiple times, and when she refused, she was arrested by a Mancos marshal.
Furse agreed with Lawrence.
“This is an isolated incident, and we won’t see this in the future,” he said.
But just in case, before Tuesday’s morning in court, Furse attended a Mancos School Board meeting and took the floor shortly after the meeting started.
Furse told the board not to forget why they serve.
“We are all part of this great machine, and that machine is purposed in furthering our kids,” Furse said. “Sometimes issues and personal feelings can distract us from that mission.”
Furse offered his service to help the Mancos School Board in the future.
“I beg everyone here tonight to be mindful of the purpose of this board,” Furse said. “Tonight’s meeting and every other meeting to follow is not to further someone’s individual agenda.”
The motion to dismiss charges against Humiston-Scott were filed last week.
“Ms. Humiston was acting in her official capacity as a school board member when attempting to respond to these complaints. Such was well within her purview as a board member,” the motion stated.
After Tuesday morning’s court appearance, Humiston-Scott and her attorney declined to comment.
Furse made sure to tell Lawrence that the Mancos marshal had probable cause to arrest Humiston-Scott.
School board president Monty Guiles agreed with Furse.
“It is our goal as a board to never forget why we are here,” Guiles said.
