Letter: Board should choose some new people

Talk about it

Dear Editor:

With the recent resignation of Kevin Sampers, the ISD 196 School Board is currently taking applications to fill this soon to be vacated position. First, I would like to pass along my commendation to the Board for outlining and going through what so far appears to be a transparent process and also thank the Board for saving taxpayer money by not placing this item on a public ballot, as this position is for an interim period and the direct benefit of appointment in this circumstance outweighs the cost of a special election.

Further, I urge the Board to appoint a new face to the position. Too many times Board positions have served as launching or landing points for those with political agendas or those aspiring to other elected offices. By a new face, I mean someone who has never held elected office and someone who can contribute a unique vision to the community, undistorted by the power which a public microphone seems to often produce. The community no longer wants politicians acting as ISD 196 School Board members. Indeed, the community now demands that Board members be non-political and only be concerned with learning for our students, fairness to our teachers, fiscal prudence and service to the community. Our community will no longer tolerate individuals seeking a position on the Board who previously held elected office and/or using the seat as a stepping stone to another elected position. The School Board is not a microphone for individual members to make sound bites in hopes of securing a future elected position elsewhere; indeed such speeches need to be reserved for political stumping, not for the important business of maintaining excellence in our schools. I trust the Board will appoint a new face with new ideas, not a recycled individual hoping to gain a new toe-hold for their own personal political ascent. It is my hope that a new parent or immigrant, a financial strategist, a psychologist, a nurse, a scholar or someone with a unique characteristic would best fill the position, not a politician or someone who is only looking to increase his or hers visibility and abusing the position for the free marketing and public microphone provided.

Sincerely,

James G Corrigan

Tags: opinion, rosemount, letters