Author Topic: School Board Elections This Fall (Read 20311 times)

seabiscuit · « **Reply #30 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:15:01 PM »

My understanding of how this pertains to the cancellation of National Prayer Day was because National Prayer Day was a government involved event which included the President and a room in the White House.

"The National Day of Prayer, first designated by President Truman and made permanent by President Reagan, was celebrated by an ecumenical service IN the White House by President George W. Bush every first Thursday in May. This will no longer be the case. President Obama, apparently listening to complaints by atheists and others who hold that holding a religious service, no matter how inclusive, constitutes an official endorsement of religion, has canceled the National Day of Prayer service."

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1724544/obama_cancels_national_day_of_prayer.html?cat=9

This event WAS HELD IN THE WHITE HOUSE, not outside.

If a group of Christians wanted to meet on the steps of the White House to pray of their own volition (with the proper permits) they could do so. The significant difference here is who is organizing it and promoting it, not what is organized. The Islamic event was not organized by our government but allowed because of the right to freedom of speech, freedom from religious persecution. If Christians are so concerned, maybe they should attempt to hold a prayer day on the same steps and I'd bet there'd be no problems doing it.

It's the same principle that as a Christian I can pray on my own in school or with a group of people who volunteer to pray with me but as a Christian I don't have the right to say prayer over a group of students who may or may not hold my religious beliefs. Nor does a school have the right to sanction prayer over all the students in their school. I can assure you that I would not want someone like Dave Daubenmire saying the prayer over my children. I don't agree with his extreme judgmental beliefs or what he stands for and would be upset that he might be able to do that without my permission.

I send my children to a private Christian school where I know what the beliefs are. My son, who just graduated last year, spoke at a meeting with the MTV school board last year that was filled with supporters of John Freshwater and indicated that he felt that there was more acceptance of religious diversity at Newark Catholic than at Mt. Vernon High School based on what he was hearing and seeing at that meeting. That's a pretty scary commentary on what went on there.

As far as the association between Thompson and Kirk, its not far fetched as I believe it is accurate based on information I have about their affiliation with each other and common belief that Mr. Freshwater should be returned to his job. And I will be asking each one of them in an open forum about their support or nonsupport of the rehiring of Freshwater if they would be elected to the school board. Darcy Miller was also planning on running as well but I don't see her name now listed as a candidate on the MTV News website: http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/09/election/

Steve.Deserved.Better · « **Reply #31 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:30:40 PM »

Thanks again Seabiscuit. I disagree with the decisions and the arguments used, but don't dispute the links and don't think it would be conducive to further the argument with other examples of Obama using religion and faith to further his causes. These have been stated in the political threads.

I am very concerned with Christianity being attacked, though and I hope you are right about it's just about keeping any religious indoctrination away from our children.

I don't personally know any of these people (I've heard nice things about Thompson though), but if we're going to hold their affiliation with Freshwater (whether you agree with him or not), as a criteria for not electing them, then hopefully people will look at who their elected local, state and national officials have affiliated with and 'know' them as well or better and vote accordingly. It's starts on this level to make sure we get the right people in.

At least you are involved and paying attention. Hopefully more will offer their take as eloquently as you have.

Looking forward to more information as this carries forward.

seabiscuit · « **Reply #32 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:31:12 PM »

Quote from: belushi on September 27, 2009, 12:38:13 PM

If Freshwater supporters can manage to elect a majority of the school board, more power to them....and if they rehire Freshwater, they just hired a many time teacher of the year with loads of experience....

The teacher of the year award was not a voted for or an individual award given to one teacher, it was given to ANYONE in that year that was nominated by any other employee. It only took one person to put in your name to get that award so its meaningless.

NotJustinsOtherName · « **Reply #33 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:39:30 PM »

Quote from: Steve.Deserved.Better on September 27, 2009, 01:30:40 PM

Thanks again Seabiscuit. I disagree with the decisions and the arguments used, but don't dispute the links and don't think it would be conducive to further the argument with other examples of Obama using religion and faith to further his causes. These have been stated in the political threads.

I am very concerned with Christianity being attacked, though and I hope you are right about it's just about keeping any religious indoctrination away from our children.

I don't personally know any of these people (I've heard nice things about Thompson though), but if we're going to hold their affiliation with Freshwater (whether you agree with him or not), as a criteria for not electing them, then hopefully people will look at who their elected local, state and national officials have affiliated with and 'know' them as well or better and vote accordingly. It's starts on this level to make sure we get the right people in.

At least you are involved and paying attention. Hopefully more will offer their take as eloquently as you have.

Looking forward to more information as this carries forward.

The sky is pink.. I have to agree fully now that the Muslim issue is a red herring. You feel free to organize a trip to the Capital and I will go and pray with you on the steps. We will be welcomed as they were. The national prayer thing. In the white house. Would have been nice to keep it. It is this presidents right to do in the whitehouse whatever he sees fit! The next president may well have it again and that would be great as well!

Steve.Deserved.Better · « **Reply #34 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:40:54 PM »

Quote from: seabiscuit on September 27, 2009, 01:35:32 PM

Thanks SDB!

I just want elected officials who have more than one agenda. We need people who have a wholistic and realistic approach to the needs of our school district to protect all children and their right to an education free from pressure by a few who want to press their own agenda.

That would be a great accomplishment in today's environment.

wonderin · « **Reply #35 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:53:50 PM »

VERY good posts Seabiscuit!! This really helps clarify things for people.
I also think there IS a relationship between Steve Thompson and the Freshwater case. Here is a link to Freshwaters answers to one of the Federal suits-

http://ncseweb.org/webfm_send/1091

It says on page 6:

"Without waiving this objection Defendent/Counterclaiment responds he has spoken to many people to include the following: R Kelly Hamilton, Robert Stoffers, Jason Deschler, Bill Kepko, Sherrie Phillips, Roger Weaver, Tom Collier, Don Matolyak, Steve Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Lori Miller, Wes Elifritz, Deb Strouse, and many school teachers, HR on Call, investigators, ........"

I believe that Freshwater is trying to make two school board members testify just because the family spoke to them. If they testify they may not get to re-vote on the issue. If Thompson was elected, I think the same would apply to him. He couldn't vote on the issue. Especially if he has to testify in the hearing. Which I would think would be highly likable since he is specifically mentioned in the suit and would have as much second hand information as the two board members would have.

wonderin · « **Reply #36 on:** September 27, 2009, 02:00:39 PM »

Also does anyone know the rules for running for school board? I would think Kirk has a conflict of interest. Isn't he the principal at the Career Center? The Career Center Board consists of board members from the county schools. Which includes MV. So he could potentially be on the board for the school he works at. Wouldn't that mean he could be his own boss? Or the boss of his boss? That doesn't seem right. Anyone know?

NotJustinsOtherName · « **Reply #37 on:** September 27, 2009, 02:03:35 PM »

Quote from: wonderin on September 27, 2009, 02:00:39 PM

Also does anyone know the rules for running for school board? I would think Kirk has a conflict of interest. Isn't he the principal at the Career Center? The Career Center Board consists of board members from the county schools. Which includes MV. So he could potentially be on the board for the school he works at. Wouldn't that mean he could be his own boss? Or the boss of his boss? That doesn't seem right. Anyone know?

He would likely have to leave the other post! Good question though.

seabiscuit · « **Reply #38 on:** September 27, 2009, 02:09:16 PM »

Just found this article:

http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/09/08/21/new-school-year-brings-changes-to-career-center

Robert Kirk, principal of students and facilities manager

mtnmama · « **Reply #39 on:** September 27, 2009, 02:57:48 PM »

Whoever asked about Kirk and Thompson being connected:

While looking around the link given by Gasoline Alley (post #15) I found this:

http://www.meetup.com/Knox-County-Ohio-912-Project/calendar/11304395/
Meet candidates for Mt Vernon School Board

For those of you who believe that our current Mt Vernon school board members are going in the wrong direction, here is your chance to meet two of the challengers. Getting involved in the political process means you have a duty to be informed about the candidates and issues affecting our community. The meeting is at the Apple Valley club house on tuesday Sept. 8th at 7:00 PM.

The two candidates are Steve Thompson and Robert Kirk. They will be discussing what their vision is for the students of the Mt Vernon school system, what leadership lapses they feel exist in the present board and what changes they would make if elected. If you are not from Mt Vernon you should still attend this meeting. It will give you insight into the process and will allow you to ask questions of the candidates.

Can't say for sure they're aligned with one another, but ...

Does anyone have links to any candidate websites?

I found Paula Barone's on her yard signs: paulabarone.com

seabiscuit · « **Reply #40 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:16:20 PM »

mtnmama

Thanks! Interesting that they advertised this on the 912 Project but I don't remember seeing it in the newspaper and didn't hear about this on the radio or anywhere else for that matter. Kind of smells like they don't really want the general public there. Wonder why this wasn't made more public?

seabiscuit · « **Reply #41 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:32:17 PM »

Just checked out Paula Barone's website. Impressive, very impressive! Thanks for the link!

phred · « **Reply #42 on:** September 27, 2009, 06:49:11 PM »

Quote from: seabiscuit on September 27, 2009, 03:32:17 PM

Just checked out Paula Barone's website. Impressive, very impressive! Thanks for the link!

Yes, she is, too. A great addition to any school board.

mtnmama · « **Reply #43 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:26:59 AM »

Found Ian Watson's website:

http://ianwatsonforschoolboard.com/Home.html

I haven't had any luck finding a website for Robert Kirk, Steve Thompson, or Steve Hughes.

seabiscuit · « **Reply #44 on:** September 28, 2009, 07:22:29 AM »

mtnmama

Thanks for the link. That's a well done website as well.

speedy

gary6560

Steve.Deserved.Better

speedy

speedy