In Your Opinion: Board of Education Needs To Work For The Children

By Rob Trautmann, Somerset

Tonight (Feb. 20) was a first for me, I walked out of a Board of Education meeting before it ended.  I am deeply saddened by what some people believe to be appropriate behavior in public meetings.  Tonight was an absolute disgrace.  A member of the Franklin school family was listed for an interim position that required a public hearing.  After the board returned from a confidential session on this appointment, an estranged family member came to the microphone and made salacious accusations about this staff member.  Two other members of the public who are no strangers to the microphone joined in and turned the meeting into a sideshow.  It must be said that these accusations had no bearing at all on the staff member’s job performance or qualifications for the intended position.

Frankly, at this point in my tenure, I am not surprised when people come to the microphone and display a complete absence of morals, kindness or class.  What shocked me tonight, however, was that at least two of my fellow board members allowed these unsupported allegations to change the way they had preciously indicated they would vote on this staff member’s appointment.  I am ashamed and embarrassed to be associated with this public body.  As public officials, we need to be sure all of our positions are supported by ethics and integrity.  Far too often it seems votes are cast based upon what is in the best interest of that party politically, rather than what is in the best interest of the school district.

The Franklin Board of Education has a choice to make.  They can come together as a body and work in the best interest of the children of Franklin or they can continue their petty political agendas and watch the district tumble further out of control.

Editor’s Note: This is the opinion of Rob Trautmann, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Board of Education.

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