My hopes of tracking Board of Education activity in 2016 are somewhat dashed in January by conflicts with other meetings.
The Board of Education will organize on Jan. 5, welcoming the winners of the November election, choosing a president for the year and making numerous appointments and decisions. See the 2015 organization agenda for examples of action to be taken.
The next meeting is a work and study session on Jan. 12. It is at 8 p.m. in the Plainfield High School conference room. The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority is scheduled to hold a meeting at 6 p.m. the same night, which might work out unless the commissioners go into closed session and the audience has to wait. It is about a 20-minute walk from PMUA headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue to the high school, which is also a factor in trying to cover both meetings. I believe the PMUA will be holding its rate hearing meeting that night, which is something of interest to all city property owners. So this is not just a coin-toss decision.
On Jan. 19, the board is scheduled to hold its business meeting. Due to the federal holiday on Jan. 18, the City Council will also be meeting that night. Both meetings are at 8 p.m. My commitment will be to the City Council meeting.
See the Board of Education meeting calendar for the balance of the 2014-15 school year at the link.
The rest of the 2016 schedule is better, though adding another set of meetings to council and land use boards is a bit much for me.
The main reason to try to add in these BOE meetings is to discern the board's direction, in light of their vote to move school board elections back to April and what appears to be open antagonism between the district and city administrations. The good news of district accreditation after 30 years is offset by the recent skirmishes over meeting places and other matters. I'm told the city has something for the district in January over the election switch. We shall see whether the decision can be undone or not, and whether legal expenses will be incurred.
Of course, any interested citizen can attend public meetings and witness what elected and appointed officials are up to. If there is hanky-panky, one cure is exposure and punishment at the polls. Another is public censure and finally, if warranted, removal by the relevant authorities.
--Bernice
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Both the regular democrats and the new democrats have politicized the school board elections by promoting candidates through their organizations and at their party campaign headquarters. That the city, that is Mapp, has "something" planned for the BOE is proof he is unwilling to recognize the independence of the BOE. Holding separate elections seems necessary to mitigate party interference.
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight, the claim is that moving an election to a time when less people will be involved is MORE democratic? What you're really saying is that Plainfield residents don't have the ability to understand that the school board is nonpartisan. Well, someone has to check the school board on wasteful spending. "Something" should be done about an unnecessary election change, while a city has to pay its school board to use spaces and politics is more important than the kids the BOE are supposed to make policy for. Let's try and keep it honest here - holding separate elections seems necessary to mitigate party interference in Mrs. Campbell's despotic realm; I call it that because a board isn't supposed to regulate autonomously. It's unnerving that not one original voice can be found on it. But moving the election will keep it that way, right?
ReplyDeleteDon't understand your logic. How will the April election prevent individuals committed to improving the schools from running. Sounds like those that are opposed to the change want the local democratic party chairman to control the schools by using political party finances and resources (that should be used to promote presidential and council candidates) for a non-partisan school board election. It was wrong for Jerry Green and it is wrong for Mapp. Many stated opposition to Jerry Green using funds in this way but now want Mapp, democratic chairperson, and Rebecca, Vice chairperson, to do it. You may recall Rebecca Williams campaign paid for Emily Morgan's robo calls and mailing. Oh, but I guess Emily Morgan is an 'original' voice.
DeleteMany people did not go to the bottom of the ballot to vote for the Board of Ed candidates . I am glad that the Board of Ed will have their own Election Day. People need to get off the couch and Vote to make their voice heard!
ReplyDeleteIf I was Wilma I wouldn't even want to run again. Was the district always a failing one or did it just start going down in the last 12 years that she's been on the board?
ReplyDeleteNo. It was a lot worse when Roni Taylor Hill and Rick Smiley were on the board. They were responsible for running out the best superintendent and starting the revolving door of superintendents. And what did Corey Storch accomplish on the BOE? Nothing. And now they are all a part of Mapp's team.
DeleteBe fair. You need to include Sharon in your list. I believe she was on the board at the same time Corey was on it.
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