ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
Legendary news and views broadcaster Paul Harvey used to do a segment on radio called, “The rest of the story.” He would begin with an outline of some development and then proceed to provide a twist at the end to better expose information to the listener.
Telling his audience at the end his signature, “Now you know the rest of the story,” he provided the “why,” which too often in these modern times just isn’t done. And there are consequences.
In my salad days as a community journalist, Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey insisted the first paragraph of every story I write include the “five Ws” — who, what, when, where, how and sometimes why.
The “why” was conspicuous in its absence Monday night in the abrupt resignation of Martin Board of Education Trustee Rodney Pillars.
Pillars was re-elected to another four-year term in last November’s midterm as part of a slate of six conservative “parental rights” advocates. He was sworn in to his post Monday night, but resigned immediately after the election of officers was completed just moments afterward.
Melanie Conley, who won a two-year term in November, was elected president, Vice Tuinstra was re-elected vice president, Jeff Brinkhuis treasurer and newcomer Terri Bailey secretary.
The timing of Pillars’ resignation is critical here, but he did not offer an explanation, leaving virtually everybody to wonder what is actually happening. He was elected two months ago, was sworn in Monday night and then promptly said adios.
The development is unusual, leaving questions unanswered.
There are rumors that there is trouble in River City (Martin) over the recent parental rights movement in education, which has opposed mandates for children to wear masks during a pandemic, promotion of inclusion and teaching of “Critical Race Theory,” which is non-existent in local schools.
The fact that a slate of six candidates ran as a team calling themselves “conservatives” raised a few eyebrows, particularly mine. During a couple of school board meetings last year there was rancor, wailing and gnashing of teeth about these issues. I submit that it led to the “retirement” of Supt. Brooke Ballee-Stone, who was unfairly excoriated in the public arena.
This indeed is only speculation. But that’s only because I, like so many others, haven’t been told “the rest of the story.”
I see a few issues looming for the Martin School Board.
Newly elected President, Melanie Conley, doesn’t even send her own child to the district she resides in and represents. It seems she wants the highest office on the board, but the district isn’t good enough for her own child.
Being a new member of a school board isn’t easy. It usually takes new members a year to figure out what is going on and become comfortable with policies, board meeting procedures, budget, etc. For this new board to elect two newbies to officer positions is poor judgement on their part.
Rod Pillars has always been a man of integrity. Perhaps, once the new officers were elected, he decided to bail out of the Mighty Clipper Ship rather than being held accountable for their future actions.
I don’t understand how can you say there is no “critical race theory” being taught in the classroom when you do not attend classes on a daily basis. This concept applies regardless of the school district. These candidates most likely have students who go to school every day and can tell parents from personal experience what is being taught. It might not be called CRT, but disguised as something like “social emotional learning”. Sure, you can regurgitate the “company line” that it is not being taught, but until you sit in the classroom daily (regardless of district), you can not say with any certainty that it is not being taught.
Same thing with unicorns. You don’t know that they’re not there until you don’t see them yourself.
The Critical Race Theory boogey man whose teaches his dangerous ideas stories are being spread in our schools are being repackaged as commenter Steve has shown with his comment. Steve didn’t explain what Critical Race Theory, its genesis or what specifics of Critical Race Theory he finds objectionable. Just because it isn’t being taught means it’s still being taught. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Critical Race Theory fear mongering is proving to be a big stick in the “conservative” tool box. It’s a good political strategy to have 501c’s support school board candidates in districts that have friendly demographics where Critical Race Theory can be talked about even if it’s not on a school district’s agenda.
That’s how Martin voters elect a candidate whose own child doesn’t attend the schools where she’s responsible for everything from voting for curriculum, staffing and budgets. She had enough signs and said the right things but is she interested in Martin schools educating everyone or is she angling to be a county commissioner or state representative after being school board president?