GLASTONBURY, Conn. (AP) - A suburban school board member was sent reeling to the floor by a punch to the face during a recess of a meeting about the high school's mascot. Video taken by an attendee at the Glastonbury Public Schools special board of education meeting Tuesday night shows the board member arguing with another man nearly nose-to-nose. The board member pushes the man, who then takes a swing at the board member, causing him to fall backward.
People in the auditorium near Hartford quickly pulled the two men apart. The board member nodded when someone asked him if he was OK.
The meeting was about reverting the school's mascot back to the tomahawk. The district last year got rid of its tomahawk logo and replaced it with a ``guardians'' mascot. Petitioners argued that the public didn't get enough input because in-person meetings were suspended due to the pandemic, according to WFSB-TV.
The board adjourned the meeting after the altercation without a vote.
Police were investigating. There were no arrests.
Superintendent Alan Bookman said in a prepared statement that the board ``appreciates that there will always be passionate testimony`` about controversial issues.
``But it is critical that we listen to each other with respect and follow meeting rules so that everyone can be heard,'' he said.
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