Topic: School Board Elections This Fall

[seabiscuit]

I guess that is what I am trying to explain. He would help raise money for anyone who he thought was hurting. That is the nature of the man. He would raise money to help someone even if he didn't agree with them politically. I don't know what his relationship is to Freshwater. I truthfully don't. But I know that Steve would help anyone out, no matter what.

The boy who was injured by Mr. Freshwater had to endure much during this time.  Did Mr. Thompson come to his aid?  If not, how would he handle being in charge of students who might be injured by teachers like Mr. Freshwater?

His own son pretty much insinuated in his testimony that the young man injured in the Freshwater situation was not victimized and he called into question the validity of the child's complaint.  I realize he is Mr. Thompson's son but I would venture to bet that Mr. Thompson will stand behind his son's comments.  We have to have school board members that will stand for the rights of the children.

[seabiscuit]

And, again, I want to know what educational qualifications he has to back up his claim that he will be able to "to implement long-range financial and planning strategies if elected".  I just want to know what his educational background is to know whether he's qualified to claim that he can do this.  Just because you are a vice president doesn't mean you have the financial background needed to implement this type of plan.  I would be much more comfortable with someone who had a background in finance and accounting making this claim.

[armymom]

Oh I see where you want to go with this and I'm not going to go there. He is a honest person. I just offered up my opinion of someone I know personally. You can take that information and do what you want with it. You can have your own perceptions of him, have at it. But I've already stated above that I have no idea about the Freshwater incidence, well other than what I have read on here. He is a very fair person, he will listen to anyone and will judge for himself. I've never known him to be a partisan person and like I said, I was a gung ho democrat until this past election and I would have voted for him even if he was a republican because I think he is a very good man. And since I'm not a democrat anymore and probably wouldn't vote for a democrat again, I would still vote for him if he was a democrat. That's how good of a person I think he is.

You guys will have to make up your own mind. I'm only telling you what I know about him.It is your vote, not mine.

So you support the rehiring of Mr. Freshwater?  And are you ready for the district financial ramifications of that?

Whether Mr. Thompson is nice or not, whether he is honest or not, in reality is not the point here.  It is whether or not he is running with a hidden agenda to overturn the district's position on the firing of Mr. Freshwater.  Attempts to do this will very likely cause our district to continue to fight lawsuits that will be brought by citizens concerned about Mr. Freshwater's teachings in the classroom.

I said I don't know enough about the Freshwater deal to have an opinion about it one way or another. Other than what I've read on here, I've not followed it very thoroughly. Please re-read my post again. I have no opinion on the case, just on Thompson and you would have a very hard time convincing me that he has an agenda. That just isn't how he has ever worked. That's all I'm trying to convey.

[seabiscuit]

It is important that voters are educated regarding the current state of our school district as it relates to the Freshwater case.  Our district is in a position to be sued "big time" for allowing a teacher like Mr. Freshwater to be re-hired. 

If you want to know just how costly that could be to our district, just talk with someone from Dover, PA who went through this previously.  The financial cost of fighting the "evolution / religion" debate cost them over $1 Million.

Mr. Thompson has pretty much made it clear that he supports John F.  Supporting Mr. Thompson's efforts to support Mr. F could cost our district more than the $300,000 that has already been spent.  If that happens the effect on our community's children will be devastating. 

If he supports him and wants him to be rehired, we, as voters should be told that is one of his goals.  Its just that simple.  And if he is as honest as you state he is, he will gladly tell us "yeah" or "nay" to this question.

[armymom]

And again, I don't know how to make this any clearer.... I haven't followed the freshwater case because I don't really have a need to. The Steve Thompson I know would welcome any questions that you may have, contact him at his work.... and then he will give you an honest answer. If he supports him and says that, you will have your answer. He will have no reason to lie to you. Like I said, he is an honest person. That has been the only point I have been trying to tell you. He is a good man, honest and very bright. If anyone would know how to help to straighten out the school's budget, I would bet on him. JMHO

[seabiscuit]

And again, I don't know how to make this any clearer.... I haven't followed the freshwater case because I don't really have a need to. The Steve Thompson I know would welcome any questions that you may have, contact him at his work.... and then he will give you an honest answer. If he supports him and says that, you will have your answer. He will have no reason to lie to you. Like I said, he is an honest person. That has been the only point I have been trying to tell you. He is a good man, honest and very bright. If anyone would know how to help to straighten out the school's budget, I would bet on him. JMHO

I know Mr. Thompson as I graduated with him.  Unfortunately, I haven't had the same experience with him and honesty that you have.  And based on my experience, I'm not sure that we would know the truth until it was discovered after the fact.  But then, that's just my experience.

[runner76]

If Mr Thompson supports Freshwater, then I could never vote for Thompson, as it would show that Thompson does not have sound judgement.

[phred]

I guess that is what I am trying to explain. He would help raise money for anyone who he thought was hurting. That is the nature of the man. He would raise money to help someone even if he didn't agree with them politically. I don't know what his relationship is to Freshwater. I truthfully don't. But I know that Steve would help anyone out, no matter what.

The boy who was injured by Mr. Freshwater had to endure much during this time.  Did Mr. Thompson come to his aid?  If not, how would he handle being in charge of students who might be injured by teachers like Mr. Freshwater?

His own son pretty much insinuated in his testimony that the young man injured in the Freshwater situation was not victimized and he called into question the validity of the child's complaint.  I realize he is Mr. Thompson's son but I would venture to bet that Mr. Thompson will stand behind his son's comments.  We have to have school board members that will stand for the rights of the children.

         You have recalled the events exactly correct.
         Thank you.

         We must have school board members who will
         stand up for the education and safety of our
         children.  Our children must come first.

[phred]

If Mr Thompson supports Freshwater, then I could never vote for Thompson, as it would show that Thompson does not have sound judgement.

           Well said.     

[phred]

And again, I don't know how to make this any clearer.... I haven't followed the freshwater case because I don't really have a need to. The Steve Thompson I know would welcome any questions that you may have, contact him at his work.... and then he will give you an honest answer. If he supports him and says that, you will have your answer. He will have no reason to lie to you. Like I said, he is an honest person. That has been the only point I have been trying to tell you. He is a good man, honest and very bright. If anyone would know how to help to straighten out the school's budget, I would bet on him. JMHO

I know Mr. Thompson as I graduated with him.  Unfortunately, I haven't had the same experience with him and honesty that you have.   And based on my experience, I'm not sure that we would know the truth until it was discovered after the fact.  But then, that's just my experience.

        You are not alone in this, Seabiscuit.   Thompson
        has made his position very clear in his unconditional
        support of Freshwater.

[seabiscuit]

This school board election could make or break our school district.  It is imperative that voters understand the significance of this election.  Voting for the wrong people could cost the district more than just money.  It could cost the viability of the community.

[phred]

            ......just a reminder........



         School board candidates to appear at open forum


         MOUNT VERNON – A forum featuring candidates
         for the Mount Vernon City School Board will be held
         at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Knox County
         Educational Service Center on Martinsburg Road.


         Dubbed “Mount Vernon Schools Going Forward”
         the event is being organized by the Knox County
         Democratic Women as a community service
         to the general public.

         Candidates Paula Barone, Steve Hughes, Robert Kirk
         and Ian Watson will discuss their qualifications and
         respond to predetermined questions from moderator
         Dr. Peggy Dunn.


         Candidate Steve Thompson was unavailable due
         to a previous engagement.


         Questions will fall into the broad categories of
         curriculum and finance. Questions about legal
         matters now before the board will not be addressed.


         http://www.knoxpages.com/?NewsID=7466&CatID=1

[phred]

This school board election could make or break our school district. 

It is imperative that voters understand the significance
of this election. 

Voting for the wrong people could cost the district more
than just money.  It could cost the viability of the community.

          So true.   This has been discussed in our neighborhood,
          our circles of friendships, too.   Viability is an excellent
          way to say it.

[dhw]

We don't know why Mr. Thompson, can't go to this Dem. party event.  If it concerns his work, at Ariel, I feel it is more important to keep jobs here in Knox County.  Then it is to show up for some Dem. political event which going to be one sided.

It makes more sense to me, to have are own school board townhall meeting, here.

Have a special topic setup exclusively about the school board election.  Have each candidate sign-in under their own name, and answer questions or not answer questions.  In this manner, we all can ask questions, and see how each candidate thinks and feels about the question.

If you go to the Dem. event and 200 or 300 people attend, there is no way your going get to ask your question.

My kids have been out of the house for years.  In hind sight, I wish I had home schooled them until they reached Jr. and high school age. 

[seabiscuit]

dhw

You are right, we don't know why he can't be there; however, when you are running for an office and the election is less that 6 weeks away, I would think it a priority to be at every open community discussion to ensure that those voting for you have a clear understanding of how you expect to represent them.  We can no longer have candidates for this position (or any other elected position) that just expect to get there because of their status, their name, the church they go to or because they are "known" from high school in the community.  We need candidates who have clear objectives that they will stand by and implement once elected and I, as a voter, want to clearly understand what their plans are before I enter the voting booth.

It's funny that you say that you would have home schooled until Jr. High and High school when what I have seen in this district is the opposite.  As far as I'm concerned the elementary schools in Mt. Vernon do a fantastic job but its a train wreck when they get to Middle School and High school.  That's actually when I have finally pulled my kids from the district and sent them to school elsewhere.