ACHTUNG:This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
I admit to being somewhat surprised Monday night to learn the Hopkins Board of Education appointed incumbent Ian Gibson to the vacant seat, turning way the candidate who won in the general election Nov. 5.
Indeed, former State Rep. Steve Johnson won in the election fair and square, so it begs the question why? Though he committed a legal infraction of state law, why?
I submit “the elephant in the room” is very simply that Johnson clearly is no friend to public education. He showed that consistently during his six years in the State Legislature. He has been an advocate of the voucher system in which parents can send their children to religious schools, spending taxpayers’ money.
Michigan voters in 2002 clearly showed their opposition to this idea by 70 percent to 30 percent. Regardless, the DeVoses and VanAndels have continued since to sneak this into state laws.
Johnson would do better to run for a school board seat at South Christian, Moline Christian, Tri-Unity Christian or the like rather than a public school system he is hell bent on destroying. I understand he lives in the Hopkins district, but he he has no intention to defend the principles of a public school system.
I remember South Christian, his alma mater, had a terrific volleyball coach who took the Sailors to the state finals, but she was fired less than a year later because she sent her 5-year-old son to a public school. If that isn’t religious discrimination, I don’t know what is.
While in Lansing, Johnson was very vocal about his belief that public school teachers have been “grooming” young and impressionable students. I have seen that more often in churches.
Mr. Johnson since Monday has posted on Facebook opinions guaranteed to create strife on the board, so perhaps it’s a good idea to keep him away and steer him toward something better suited to his opinions.
Johnson posted Monday on Facebook, “We had the board meeting tonight. With complete disregard for the voters, the Hopkins School Board decided to appoint the guy we beat in the election.
“Regardless of your political position, we can all agree that it’s wrong to appoint someone who actually lost the election over the person who won the election.
“The Board made it clear multiple times that they believe the voters are a problem they have to deal with and not their boss. Truly a shameful day for the school board and a terrible example for the students.
“One of the questions they asked in the interview was what would I do to help pass a bond in the future. No question of how we would work to live within a budget. They plan to go for another bond in 2026 and stick future generations with debt.
“I assure you we will have more to say about this in the future…”
Johnson has indicated he believes he wasn’t treated fairly by the board. Tell that to Merrick Garland.
