The low voter turnout in the Plainfield School Board elections resulted in another sweep by what is becoming infamously known as the Grand Slam Team. This slate headed by Board Member Wilma Campbell has become the power broker of the Plainfield Board of Education since they launched their successful campaign to oust former Superintendent of Schools Steve Gallon and incumbent Board members Martin Cox and Christian Estevez. Even though we are now learning a year later that that the rhetoric about Gallon and his leadership was more smoke than mirrors, the damage seems to already be done the district and our students.
Yesterday's sweep and recent ouster of incumbent Board Member Lenny Cathcart was fueled by more negative campaigning and lies. I will posting more about the facts in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Their sweep was also fueled by voter apathy and a biased media in the name of the Courier News. Jay Jefferson's Cooke editorial is an example of why readers and subscribers to the Courier News has been reduced by over fifty percent over the past several years. His all out assault on Cathcart seem childish and personal. Cathcart may even wise to consult an attorney to see if Cooke's views are libelous or the Courier's bias crosses the lines of an unfair political endorsement. Further his reference to Gallon over nearly a year ago seems to be sign of desperation in holding on to a person who is long gone and whose educational work was among the best the district had ever witnessed.
Anyway, have things gotten better in the Queen City when it comes to educating students? That is the main question.
Scores have been at the bottom for years. So if it is time to sweep the "slate" clean of incumbents and start anew, Board Member Wilma Campbell who also headed Curriculum since arriving on the Board should be viewed with skepticism. There are major budget problems and many of the positive initiatives of Gallon seemed to have gone by the wayside.
As for Cathcart, many have described him as a caring and sincere Plainfielder who has dedicated his life to the children in this community. I guess his defeat last night is another sign that champions for children no longer have a place in the Plainfield Board of Education. Many I have spoken with share that the new agenda is contracts for lawyers, jobs and promotions for friend, and punishment for enemies.
Finally, some TRUTH. Where have you been? Keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late for a revolution or REVOLT.
Stop this nonsense. It's clear you are an aide to Gallon trying to get him to be gainfully employed again.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI am not aide of his. I dont have a way to get Gallon employed. But I will offer a different opinion based on information other than what I read in a newspaper.
I hope differing views are respected.
Lenny Cathcart was one of the most caring Board members when it came to young people. What a great loss to our students. He will truly be missed.
ReplyDeleteMost if not all of Lenny Cathcart's involvement with the children he has been PAID FOR. So if you want to consider a PAID employee dedicated that's your perogative. He's either paid by our tax dollars or private organizations hard earned fundraising. 7:03pm claims he was caring. You are so right. He cared about that paycheck. And that's not political or hateful. It's just the truth.
ReplyDelete