APS School Board Chair Drama

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

It matters a lot, the board chair sets the agenda. It's their opportunity to get their priorities addressed. So skipping over Mary is a big deal. It silences her.

Isn’t the agenda set by the needs and priorities of APS, which are determined by the school administrators? It’s not like she could decide, hey, we’re not going to focus on reading this year and then it wouldn’t be taught, or we’re not going to build that new Career Center after all. Can you explain exactly how the chairs “sets the agenda?”

No because I'm not on the board, lol. Ask them. But it is a stated duty of the board chair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will not vote for any board member who doesn't support Mary's turn as chair. At least one of them should care about this. Maybe others if they aspire to another office someday.

Barbara K tried to pull this and look how things turned out for her. She's a joke who isn't going anywhere.

That's not because she tried to pull a similar coups. She just wasn't ever going to go anywhere.

No one who pulls this type of crap deserves to go any further in politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

It matters a lot, the board chair sets the agenda. It's their opportunity to get their priorities addressed. So skipping over Mary is a big deal. It silences her.

Isn’t the agenda set by the needs and priorities of APS, which are determined by the school administrators? It’s not like she could decide, hey, we’re not going to focus on reading this year and then it wouldn’t be taught, or we’re not going to build that new Career Center after all. Can you explain exactly how the chairs “sets the agenda?”

No because I'm not on the board, lol. Ask them. But it is a stated duty of the board chair.

NP: It doesn't matter one way or the other. If the Chair is a position with real ability to influence things, then all the people who voted for MK did so with the expectation based on precedent that she would have her shot at this. For two lame ducks to scheme to take that away is a really anti-democratic sentiment, even if it's legal. On the other hand, if the chair doesn't have any real power, what kind of a petty jerk would go through all the trouble of denying MK her turn at the chair? That almost speaks even worse of the people trying to orchestrate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

That is not the Arlington way. We never dissent publicly.

[Anonymous]

What are you expecting them to speak to these anonymous social media posts? This is a crazy thread— so many conspiracy theories. They vote in the summer— they’ll speak to it when that time comes.

[Anonymous]

The board members that almost didn’t support Emma were Sally, Noah and Abby. 2012. Sally voted no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

Well that's exactly it. What possible reason can they come up with to try to explain this away?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

That is not the Arlington way. We never dissent publicly.

That appears to be the problem. Mary dared to. And they are punishing her for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

That is not the Arlington way. We never dissent publicly.

Then they should do it the true arlington way and have listening sessions and public comment periods
and maybe some non-binding public opinion voting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

It matters a lot, the board chair sets the agenda. It's their opportunity to get their priorities addressed. So skipping over Mary is a big deal. It silences her.

Isn’t the agenda set by the needs and priorities of APS, which are determined by the school administrators? It’s not like she could decide, hey, we’re not going to focus on reading this year and then it wouldn’t be taught, or we’re not going to build that new Career Center after all. Can you explain exactly how the chairs “sets the agenda?”

Don't be daft, if it really didn't matter who the chair is, 3 members wouldn't be scheming to skip over the one who is next in line.

and it wouldn't have happened to Emma V-S either.

Of course it matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

Seriously. I would respect the board members more if they just came out and said "MK would be a bad board chair for X, Y, and Z reasons, and that's why I'm supporting someone else." Just own it already. People would take it more seriously that way. Unless your reasons just don't look good in the first place...

That is not the Arlington way. We never dissent publicly.

Then they should do it the true arlington way and have listening sessions and public comment periods
and maybe some non-binding public opinion voting.

HA! That is the Arlington Way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

It matters a lot, the board chair sets the agenda. It's their opportunity to get their priorities addressed. So skipping over Mary is a big deal. It silences her.

Isn’t the agenda set by the needs and priorities of APS, which are determined by the school administrators? It’s not like she could decide, hey, we’re not going to focus on reading this year and then it wouldn’t be taught, or we’re not going to build that new Career Center after all. Can you explain exactly how the chairs “sets the agenda?”

Don't be daft, if it really didn't matter who the chair is, 3 members wouldn't be scheming to skip over the one who is next in line.

and it wouldn't have happened to Emma V-S either.

Of course it matters.

Then tell me HOW it matters. Really, the SB is votes. Otherwise it’s a dog and pony show. Staff dictates the agenda, then the SB approves (almost always) or not. They don’t actually run things, and the chair isn’t any more powerful than the other members, except they get to talk more. I don’t think they should skip anyone for any reason, but it’s more a petty move than one I’d describe as a coup. It’s anti democratic and childish, I’m not saying they’re right to do it. But let’s not pretend this is some super powerful position and that who is the chair will actually change things (or not).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the CDT, DP and BZS peeps are sure throwing a tantrum. Guess they're mad their little plot got exposed. How embarrassing for them.

+1. Is this really over the career center? How petty.

Yes and a difference of belief in how to be a good school board member. Mary wants to ask questions. She thinks it's ok for members to disagree. The others don't. If you don't fall in line and do what you're told, this is what happens. The community should be making a HUGE fuss about this. Or STFU forever when you wonder why the school board doesn't "do it's job," and "hold APS accountable." This is why, and Mary is trying to do just that. If you want her to keep doing that, speak up. If you like the status quo of a do-nothing board, then stay quiet I guess.

A couple things: why does being chair even matter? It seems like a titular/honorary thing that’s surface only. You still just have one vote. I think it’s wrong to block anyone, and it seems petty AF, but also like it’s not important either in terms of how the board functions or acts. And lastly, it has ALWAYS bothered me that they expect to vote as a block. That’s back from when NVD ruled the SB with her iron fist and expected unanimity and called other members dumb on a hot mic. It’s wrong and anti democratic. You can disagree, in private, and in public. It’s a democracy, and it’s what we should expect from our elected leaders. This whole idea that if you’re in the party you can only vote a certain way that someone else has determined is really not very cool, and really subverts the idea of an elected board who represents the people. This has been true for the CB as well. It really doesn’t sit well with me, at all. And I’m a faithful D voter. I sat out the most recent SB caucus, because of “inside” stuff like this. It’s disgusting actually.

NVD didn't rule the board with an iron fist. Barbara did, and this comes from her influence.

NVD did not tolerate dissension and was publicly much ruder.

How well did you know Barbara? She was/is quite awful in private. I'd prefer public rudeness frankly.

I knew both of them equally. NVD was quite awful in private. She was defensive, defiant, dismissive, and rude.