No School Board Endorsements from the 36th Dems

Just back from the 36th Dems Endorsement meeting.  It was a lively evening (made better by a Chair who knew how to keep things moving - bless him).

No school board candidate was endorsed.  Both Sherry Carr and Peter Maier had motions for sole endorsement by the group and both motions failed.  I think the reason that motions for other candidates failed was because they had not been interviewed by the Executive Board and no one knew them.  

There were some interesting things said.  Highlights:

• Councilman Tim Burgess (who did get an endorsement for his reelection) made the motion for Peter which isn't surprising considering Peter has endorsed him.  (I cornered Burgess about doing that endorsement before even considering other candidates.  He said that the district's work isn't done but they are making progress.  He couldn't get away from me fast enough and frankly, it was troubling because he's never done that with me before.)  He was the first person to say that Peter "works hard."  He also said that there are "no one size magic answers."  Okay, but we are moving more and more towards a one-size fits all district so someone thinks there is.  He also said enrollment was up (as if enrollment is up because of the great work at the district - there could be many reasons for the rise in enrollment).

• David Edelman, Ingraham teacher, spoke against the motion saying he had spoke in favor of Peter four years ago and now knows he was wrong back then.  

• Another person spoke in favor of Peter and again "he works hard."

• Another person spoke against Peter saying that she hoped others would read Diane Ravitch's book.  She said this Board extended the Super's contract and then fired her just months later.  She said we need to have a long overdue conversation about our district.

• Another person spoke in favor of Peter saying "you can't blame one person for everything that is wrong in the district."  She's right except that yes, you can hold public officials accountable for not doing their jobs.  She also said he works hard.  

(Here's my aside.  I'll be happy to give Peter an A for effort but treading water isn't the same as swimming.)

•  Sharon Peaslee, one of his challengers, spoke to the group and gave her background and said she hoped more people would try to get to know her as the pro-active, problem-solving person she feels she is.  Kate Martin and Cliff Mass also spoke in favor of her.

For Sherry Carr, the Chair ran through the names of all the challengers, most of whom came on the ballot after their interviews.  The Executive Committee did interview Sherry and Kate Martin but made no recommendation to the group.

• Michael DeBell's wife, Marie, nominated a sole endorsement for Sherry (but did not identify herself as Michael's wife - maybe they all knew that).  She said something interesting about Sherry which was "she is critical when appropriate."  I wish I could ask her what that means.  

• Jack Whelan, a challenger, got up and introduced himself as a UW professor married to an SPS teacher.  He said he hears that the School Board just needs more time and said you can't build on a flawed foundation.  Good line. 

• Heidi Bennett, a member of the 36th, spoke in favor of the endorsement saying that the district was moving in a positive direction and that the Board had "swiftly dealt" with the scandals.  I can't say I believe the first part of the statement and I know the last part is simply not true.  

• Kate Martin also spoke here and said that Sherry's campaign is "supported by 8 people and they own her."  She also said Sherry isn't using proven strategies.

(If you ever want your student to see democracy in action, take them to one of these events.  It's person-to-person communication and real discussion.  The referendum on the tunnel issue was also voted on and the "approve" passed 33-15.