It seems that the School Board in my town just can’t seem to keep itself out of the news lately – who do they think they are, the Budget Committee (heh!) ?
Certainly my hamlet is seemingly abuzz with School Board member Derek Tomlinson’s resignation from that Board. At first, his letter was not made public (even as it was read, in part, at a public meeting of the Board). However, then faced with RTK requests from the local media, it seems like they have released a heavily redacted version of it to the press (but it is not posted on their website).
From the Citizen, I thought these lines from the article, taken from Tomlinson’s letter, were very peculiar:
“I wish the Board and District well as they navigate the future. I still have a daughter in the school that I will be watching over very closely.
So, what is going on that Derek seemingly warning the School District so as to say "you have better not mess with my daughter"?
No, politics should never devolve to someone’s kids, but it has happened before and it is a parent’s worst nightmare. I have had folks come up to me and whisper things only to then beg me not to say a word; the one reason why many people in town (or any place, really) do not speak up in fear of what that line suggests – retribution against their children.
We’ve got the ongoing controversy of the Board overriding the will of the townfolk by hiring a new Superintendent, Dr. Billings (principle of the Elementary School) taking off after being passed over, some murmerings of legal action that might be taking place with other folks being involved, and now a resignation.
No, I have no firm knowledge or even a guess as to why a now former School Board member would warn the remaining members (or the employees of the School District) to stay away from his daughter. It certainly is of concern to him – it should be of concern to us all.
Perhaps with this new vacancy and two members up for re-election, it is time for a clean sweep of the place….
