Just Wondering Where Decorum Has Gone
Update 3
Setting aside the judgment of a school board president openly picking favorites among candidates, Hersey’s hashtag was at the very least juvenile, modeling behavior the opposite of what most classroom teachers strive to instill in their students.
“Could I have communicated better? One hundred percent,” Hersey said, conceding that his comment was cocky, but at heart, just an expression of excitement that a majority of voters have validated the board’s work.
I love when politicians say that a vote validates all that person is doing. I don't ever buy it on any side because there is no perfect candidate. And fyi, this is becoming a favorite line from those on the right - you elected me to do the work and that means you endorsed all that I say and do.
The implication was that those who lost got the drubbing they deserved. It reads as a cavalier shrug to concerns expressed by those challengers that some constituents view the school board as out of touch and unresponsive.
Questioned about the wisdom of this post, which is no longer visible, Hersey immediately owned his mistake. “I got carried away on election night,” he said. “It is never my intent to ostracize or diminish.”
But then he doubles down:
The comment was merely “a millennial hashtag,” he continued. Anyone offended by it had misunderstood, laboring under “generational and cultural differences.”
Actually I'm laboring over the convention that coarse talk about candidates is inappropriate from someone in elected leadership.
The Times editorial board said:
True, conventions change. Communication is ever evolving. And the candidates who won were not those endorsed by this editorial board. But those who ran unsuccessfully could be forgiven for seeing Hersey’s quip as a personal attack. It conveys a cliquey, clubby feeling that does not suggest openness to those who voice alternative views.
I give the Times credit for saying the persons they supported didn't win but it's not sour grapes. It's dismay at a time when you need district leaders to be sober and serious.
They conclude:
No one is suggesting a hashtag containing an expletive is some sort of high crime. But it does betray a troubling lack of seriousness for a person overseeing a billion-dollar budget while facing $100 million deficits amid sagging student performance and a new plan to cut staff while increasing class sizes.
In Seattle Public Schools, this is no time for jokes.
end of update
Update 2
The Times Editorial Board weighs in and are not amused. I'll have more to say but man, Hersey trying to brush it off is just pathetic.
Update:
I was asked about the photo of President Brandon Hersey with the hashtag "f**karoundfindout" and its source. It appears to have made the rounds but my source says it was posted to a Facebook page by Hersey himself.
As an interesting sidenote, it appears that Hersey has
not one but three Instagram accounts. On the one that looks like his
official director account - @schoolboard_Brandon - it appears you can make an appointment to talk to him. However when you push through to the calendar, there is no calendar available. That sounds about right.
end of update
I appreciate that President Brandon Hersey is happy with who got elected to the new Board. But check out that hashtag!
So anyone who runs against his picks for the Board is "f**king around?"
I don't like his casual manner is running the Board meetings especially "yo" as an answer during roll call and now this kind of thought which is one that he should not be making public.
Comments
Logical Consequences
It is very important to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment- especially in an educational setting.
It is my belief that maintaining a professional and respectful environment is crucial in an educational setting. The use of such language, especially by a figure in an educational leadership position, can have a negative impact on the overall atmosphere and sets an undesirable example for the students, parents and staff!
It is shameful that Brandon Hersey didn't have the decency to maintain a positive and respectful environment our school community deserves.
The president of the school board just gave us insight into his true character.
Is Hersey saying that running for office is "F$%#!%$" around?!! How dare He!!!!
Split it
SP
Democratic Voter
Hersey’s photo and hashtag is nothing more than a veiled threat to anyone that wants to run against his preferred candidate. His behavior is more than unbecoming of a school board president- or anyone in an elected position.
As the Seattle Times stated, Hersey’s behavior violated board policy. Will the board act??
And I just went into check and to my surprise, I can't find a specific Board policy on conduct for Board members. Even AFTER the Hampson/DeWolf HIB findings on their agregious behavior towards senior staff.
Interestingly, under Audience Participation, it does say this:
"Interrupt a speaker to require the same standard of civility that the Board expects of itself. Examples of uncivil comments that will justify interruption of a speaker’s remarks include those that:
Are defamatory;
Are an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
Are obscene or indecent;
Are “fighting words,” i.e., words that are directed at an individual to incite an immediate and hostile reaction, such as through racial slurs;
Violate District policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination;
Incite an unlawful act on District or school premises; or
Create a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the Board meeting;
Request that the speaker leave the meeting if they refuse to come to order;
Request any individual to leave the meeting if they do not observe reasonable decorum;"
So that phrase "to require the same standard of civility that the Board expects of itself" is something to ponder given the absence of a conduct policy for the Board.