Even more on the Debate
The Black/Latino Leadership Coalition has issued one final clarification on the November 21st recall debate. In my opinion, they have done the right thing. They have decided to allow discussion on the issue of the Sharon Thomas firing.
To amplify the key points on the below invitation, Anne Oatman-Garder and Mary Ellen McNally insist that Eric Christen and Sandy Shakes not be allowed to participate in the debate. They then insisted that the topic of the firing not be allowed because Christen and Shakes would have the unfair advantage of having more information on that issue than would the other candidates. (Interesting argument. I wonder why the recallers did not admit their lack of information on the issue before they committed $300,000 for the recall).
After the Coalition agreed to keep the firing off the table, recall orgaizers complained that it was not fair to keep this issue off the table. Bottom line is that they do not want a debate on the issues. They wish for emotion and not facts to rule the day.
The Coalition message is below:
Dear Friends,
At the risk of trying to explain too much, we would like to
clarify some of the give and take on the Black/Latino
D-11 Recall Election and Candidates'
Forum scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6-8PM,
Carnegie Room, Penrose Library.
It may sound like the proverbial tempest in a teapot
to some, but the passions unleashed by the Recall
Election are not something to be trifled with.
Let me quickly explain what we felt that we needed to
do in the last three days in order to try and satisfy
some very vocal people about the rules of the Forum.
This is an honest assessment.This will be our last email on
the matter.
First, many people were saying, "don't let Sandy
and Eric come to the Forum. They will only dominate
the discussion and it won't be fair to the rest of the
candidates." But this is not right, we felt, regardless
of how anyone feels.
So, we said Eric and Sandy will be invited because this serves
the public purpose.
Second, others said, "don't let Eric and Sandy talk about
the firing of Sharon Thomas.That will only serve their purposes
and they will use up all the time doing that."
OK, we said, we won't let Eric and Sandy talk about that.
So, we put out an email laying down the rules: Eric and Sandy
to be there, but no discussion of the firing. Focus on the future,
we told the candidates in the email. Tell us what you want
to do to fix the problems, but don't dwell on the past. Look
at your vision of the future as the best way to heal a fractured
community.
Third, lots of people started telling us, "you can't do that. We
need to talk about the firing because it's the most important
part of the recall, etc., etc. Some of the same people who don't
want Eric and Sandy to appear are now saying we have to talk
about the termination with Sandy and Eric.
Fourth, OK, we said in another email, we'll allow questions
on the firing, since most of the evaluations of Dr. Thomas
are a matter of public record (posted on the D-11 website)
and therefore we can have a discussion more or less based
on facts. Initially, we did not want any discussion on the
termination because it was a personnel matter and all the
pertinent facts are not known to the public. But now that
we're aware that they are on the website, we'll allow questions
on the termination--hoping that folks will read the material
and come to the Forum well-informed.
We're very sorry if misunderstandings have caused anyone
to feel threatened or alienated.
We need to keep in mind that difficult issues are the ones
that need the most exposure. But as a neutral group we wanted
to balance the need of the public to know with an attempt to
lessen the potential for useless recriminations. Now we can
guarantee you that the Forum will not be a limited debate.
All issues are on the table, provided everyone behaves
with respect and decorum.
Sincerely,
Willie Breazell, Co-Chair,
719-310-5853
Joe Barrera, Co-Chair,
Black/Latino Leadership Coalition
719-328-9620
To amplify the key points on the below invitation, Anne Oatman-Garder and Mary Ellen McNally insist that Eric Christen and Sandy Shakes not be allowed to participate in the debate. They then insisted that the topic of the firing not be allowed because Christen and Shakes would have the unfair advantage of having more information on that issue than would the other candidates. (Interesting argument. I wonder why the recallers did not admit their lack of information on the issue before they committed $300,000 for the recall).
After the Coalition agreed to keep the firing off the table, recall orgaizers complained that it was not fair to keep this issue off the table. Bottom line is that they do not want a debate on the issues. They wish for emotion and not facts to rule the day.
The Coalition message is below:
Dear Friends,
At the risk of trying to explain too much, we would like to
clarify some of the give and take on the Black/Latino
D-11 Recall Election and Candidates'
Forum scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6-8PM,
Carnegie Room, Penrose Library.
It may sound like the proverbial tempest in a teapot
to some, but the passions unleashed by the Recall
Election are not something to be trifled with.
Let me quickly explain what we felt that we needed to
do in the last three days in order to try and satisfy
some very vocal people about the rules of the Forum.
This is an honest assessment.This will be our last email on
the matter.
First, many people were saying, "don't let Sandy
and Eric come to the Forum. They will only dominate
the discussion and it won't be fair to the rest of the
candidates." But this is not right, we felt, regardless
of how anyone feels.
So, we said Eric and Sandy will be invited because this serves
the public purpose.
Second, others said, "don't let Eric and Sandy talk about
the firing of Sharon Thomas.That will only serve their purposes
and they will use up all the time doing that."
OK, we said, we won't let Eric and Sandy talk about that.
So, we put out an email laying down the rules: Eric and Sandy
to be there, but no discussion of the firing. Focus on the future,
we told the candidates in the email. Tell us what you want
to do to fix the problems, but don't dwell on the past. Look
at your vision of the future as the best way to heal a fractured
community.
Third, lots of people started telling us, "you can't do that. We
need to talk about the firing because it's the most important
part of the recall, etc., etc. Some of the same people who don't
want Eric and Sandy to appear are now saying we have to talk
about the termination with Sandy and Eric.
Fourth, OK, we said in another email, we'll allow questions
on the firing, since most of the evaluations of Dr. Thomas
are a matter of public record (posted on the D-11 website)
and therefore we can have a discussion more or less based
on facts. Initially, we did not want any discussion on the
termination because it was a personnel matter and all the
pertinent facts are not known to the public. But now that
we're aware that they are on the website, we'll allow questions
on the termination--hoping that folks will read the material
and come to the Forum well-informed.
We're very sorry if misunderstandings have caused anyone
to feel threatened or alienated.
We need to keep in mind that difficult issues are the ones
that need the most exposure. But as a neutral group we wanted
to balance the need of the public to know with an attempt to
lessen the potential for useless recriminations. Now we can
guarantee you that the Forum will not be a limited debate.
All issues are on the table, provided everyone behaves
with respect and decorum.
Sincerely,
Willie Breazell, Co-Chair,
719-310-5853
Joe Barrera, Co-Chair,
Black/Latino Leadership Coalition
719-328-9620
posted by Craig Cox | 6:04 PM
1 Comments:
Absolutely Shakes and Christen should be there and should explain to the viewing public why they feel their recall is tied to the firing of Sharon Thomas.
I have heard Shakes say "If we let a substandard head of our district slide, how could we possibly expect anyone else in the system to take accountability seriously?"
EXACTLY!!
Accountability has to be more than just the most overused word in public K-12 education! It has to mean something to people who are watching the achievement gaps widen, the pay disparities widen (teachers vs. administrators), the academic product stagnate, excuse making continue, etc.
Shakes has said she had high hopes for Thomas, and says she was as or more disappointed than anyone when it became apparent that Thomas was clueless. I for one believe her explanation, especially after watching Karen Teja openly manipulate Shakes during board meetings.
As far as the Chaos causers not wanting Christen and Shakes present at the debate tomorrow evening, well, duh. They have lots of explaining to do, as to why paying Thomas the money is more aggregious than obligating it was. None of them spoke publicly to denounce the setting aside of over a million dollars for buyout clauses in our top employees' contracts.
None of them asked for an interim hire,which is what this district should have done, and you, Mr. Cox, tried to do. Now they want Christen and Shakes to take the brunt of their failed ploy?
I say let them speak, and give them extra time even!
This will be the first opportunity either of them have had to really face their accusers in an open discussion setting.
Only Gudvangen gets a pass referring to the recall from the D-11 dais. He and his associates make much of the fractured board, but none of them take any ownership of it. Isn't that kind of weird?
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