[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Robbinsdale School Board

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Robbinsdale School Board
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1194240017.shtml


   As I said, I will be voting "YES" on the ISD 281 operating levy
   referendum. The faulty assumption in voting "NO" is that the district
   would do what we would do in their place. They won't. They will cut
   muscle, not fat, i.e., lay off teachers and close schools first.
   There won't be progress, accountability, or transparency until "they"
   become more like "us." "They" have to be voted out, even if their
   replacements are no better. As I survey the Robbinsdale election, the
   best we can do is bounce one incumbent, but it's a start. There are
   four candidates for three open seats. Two are incumbents, hence at
   least one will be re-elected.
   I watched a Candidates Forum on cable [1]Channel 12, with three of the
   candidates present, including both incumbents. By their answers, other
   than direct references to past actions on the School Board, you could
   not tell one from another. All spoke in educational double speak, and
   generally blamed us as poor parents and the Legislature as not
   providing "full" funding. They further agreed that we shouldn't really
   look at test scores, lest we miss all the other good work they're
   doing for us. At least they agreed that results are significantly
   below what we want and the students need.
   The phrases "all else being equal" and "distinction without a
   difference" certainly apply here, so I have no hesitation in
   recommending those of you in District 281 vote for challengers
   Katherine Elrite and Sherry Tyrrell. You can vote for a third, so
   either flip a coin or do what I'll be doing, just voting for two,
   hoping the surviving incumbent comes in third.

References

   1. http://www.twelve.tv/