[img]1|left|||no_popup[/img]Since the City Council will not be meeting this evening, in deference to Yom Kippur, here is a meaty proposition to debate with friends.
A lady of a certain level of prominence in this town stepped forward to pose a provocative question:
“Does it truly make any difference which three candidates win the School Board race?”
For years, this lady has wrestled with the notion of running for the City Council.
Smart, eloquent, widely involved, respected, she has lifetime roots in the community, the kind of resume that should be a passport directly to the dais in Council Chambers.
And two seats will be available in next April’s election with Jeff Cooper the only announced contender so far.
The lady, as she must be known, explained why she would run for Council but never would consider the School Board.
“On the City Council,” she argued, “you can make a difference, whether in policy or otherwise. Lots of maneuvering room — I give you the conservative Steve Rose and the liberal Gary Silbiger serving on the same City Council. Each would tell you he was effective and was able to achieve his agenda.
“I believe members of the School Board are much closer to being figureheads.
“It seems to me they hold ceremonial, neutered positions.
Devoid of Power and Influence?
“I don’t see how anyone can make a genuine difference. Unlike the City Council, Board members are hamstrung. Because of strict state regulations, there is almost no wiggle room.
“Something like 94 percent of funds are pre-determined.
Therefore, what are you playing with? Very little money.
“What decisions do you make — who is laid off and who stays at budget-cuts time?
“I have read the criticism about the supposed fifth and sixth candidates for the School Board, Robert Zirgulis and Gary Abrams.
“I say, ‘So what?’
“How much gravitas is required to stand guard over 6 percent of the budget?
“If Abrams and Zirgulis are elected on Nov. 3 along with any of the other four, will it make a difference the way the Board runs? Or the way the School District operates?”
Obviously, the lady’s cynical question won’t boost the egos or the self-confidence of any of the six contenders for the three seats.
But it is a fair proposition to provoke reflection.
Is she right about the difference between being a Council member and a Board member?
With Jessica Beagles-Roos, Dana Russell and Saundra Davis all leaving the School Board in two months after eight years of service, would the District be in any different position if, instead, you and I had held down their positions?
Did the incumbents’ personalities make differences that have been underrated?
Have the Board’s energy level and accomplishment calendar grown in the two years since high octane Steve Gourley and Scott Zeidman were elected?
Even if you find the prospect odious, the question deserves a thought-through response?
Surely the answer is worthy of complex pursuit.
