All the school board drama!
YOU KNOW I’M NOT GONNA LET THIS GO.
Dear Board Members,
It is difficult to believe that you are considering appointing former board member J Torrey to the seat vacated by Eve S, especially so soon after his defeat in the April election. I am sure that you have very fond personal feelings for him, especially those of you who have been working with him for a very long time on this board and in various other capacities around the community. But I ask you to consider:
1. Does Torrey really bring "diversity" to the board, as most of you claimed in your endorsements of him in May? Considering all of your unanimous votes, it doesn't really seem that way to most of your constituents.
Also, for those of us who understand education policies and politics, it is clear that from the federal level on down, there is little-to-no difference between republicans, democrats, and independents as far as education. (There hasn't been since1989 when President Bush convened the nation's governors [including Arkansas governor Clinton, later President Clinton of "Goals 2000" fame] to talk about a national set of "benchmarks" for all children.)
2. Is Torrey really the best person for the job? In school board meetings and on the campaign trail this Spring I was impressed with his expressions of affection for young children, and his pride in the feat of reading to every kindergarten classroom. That is a very nice gesture - and what a great bunch of photo-ops!! On the other hand, I do not hear any sort of concern for other students under the board's care. The words he uses in reference to others often sound dismissive. Sometimes even... I hesitate to use the word scorn, it's too harsh, but when he says ... "those kids..." with a backward wave of the hand, I have to wonder: to whom is he referring? Are they getting the best care this board can provide?
In addition, I don't hear very much substance, or much deep understanding of the issues at hand. At one community forum he tried to distance himself from the scourge of overtesting by endorsing "informative testing." He meant "formative" I'm sure, as opposed to "summative." But it's pretty clear he doesn't know what either of those actually means. And yes, he never misses a chance to say - quite loudly and repeatedly - the words "EQUITY LENS! EQUITY LENS!" But I never have heard him say what that means in practice - or what it means to him. I fear he doesn't really get it.
3. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for politicians like yourselves: how will the community receive the news that you have appointed a person that they just voted out of office? The 14,111 citizens who voted for Torrey will be glad, but what of the 16,183 who voted for Shabram? Or the 97 who wrote in someone else altogether? Or even the casual observer?
What will this mean for you and your seats in upcoming elections? How valuable do you think your endorsements of each other will be if you are so partial to each other as to undermine the most basic of democratic processes to keep your pal on the board?
What will it mean for the community's confidence in your judgment the next time you ask them to put their faith in you when you hire a superintendent? Or cover-up then apologize for a Dove Medical snafu? Or declare their school district a law enforcement agency?
You are all smart people and I am sure these considerations have been on your minds already. I just wanted to let you know that they are on other folks' minds too, and that we are all hoping you will do the right thing.
Sincerely,
Deanna Chappell Belcher, FedUp Mama
