A referendum at the very end of the November 4, 2008 Orange County ballot attempts to create an eighth member on the school board.
This new elected official would be elected countywide, would automatically serve as the Chairman of the School Board for four years — and have the potential of two votes on every issue.
Currently, one of the school board members that you elect from single member districts is then elected by the board to serve as chairman, annually, to serve one year, very similar to the way the state senate elects its president. (No “extra” votes — just one person, one vote)
On record and OPPOSED are the Orange County NAACP, the Orange County Teachers Association (CTA), Orange County Association of School Administrators (principals), Orange County Democratic Party and the Orange County League of Women Voters. The Orange County Republican Party does not have a position on this referendum.
This proposal is on our ballot because people who want to do business with the school board (land use attorneys, developers, bond attorneys) want to “change the way the school board does business” (see www.letusvoteorange.com). For a list of the special interests who spent over $300,000 to put the referendum on the ballot visit www.NOelectedchair.com. (U.S. Sugar gave $5000!)
Parents, educators and elected officials who oppose this referendum are concerned that it will add a disruptive layer of “politics” to our school board.
Then-Governor Jeb Bush wrote, in a 2006 email to bill sponsor Andy Gardiner, that the idea of a district-wide elected chair “makes little sense in terms of bringing leadership to improving schools in Orange County…. I don’t see the logic of doing this.” The Governor even went so far as to have his staff prepare a memo that vetoed the bill, only to approve it instead at the 11th hour. Why? Probably just politics.
When people do the opposite of what they feel is right, it is often “just politics.” They sacrifice one thing in order to achieve an often-unrelated goal. Sometimes necessary, yes, but seldom without cost or consequence.
In our school system, the consequences of “just political” decisions are catastrophic. Our school board needs to make the best possible decision every time, regardless of what is politically compelling or enticing.
Just Vote NO. Our children deserve better. www.NOelectedchair.com.
