Comments on: Democracy, aborted

By: Joe S.

Joe S. — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:00:16 +0000

I love conspiracy theories as much as the next parent but I think there’s a less glamourous rational behind delaying the straw vote results.

No, I don’t know what it is but frankly I find it hard to believe that the DOE has put together several hundred Manchurian candidates to run for the CECs nor do they have the vast majority of executive boards in their pocket.

In any event, I think we’re doing good work here. If we keep digging we’ll probably find indications that the Chancellor orchestrated the swine flu pandemic in order to justify opening sterile charter schools.

Finally, Jennifer, an answer to your question, “How gerrymandered can an election get?” Elections can’t be gerrymandered, districts can… in order to rig elections. And so if you want to know how gerrymandered a [district] can get - its Eldridge Gerry’s salamander shaped district in Massachusetts.

By: CA

CA — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:35:48 +0000

I remember in the beginning of this whole mess that the reps from PTTP said that this was going to be less costly and, because it was electronic, the results would be availalbe in a timely manner. REALLY? And, then there was only one forum for each district for the PTA members to attend? It is as if the DOE is, once again, purposefully demeaning the CEC and its power. DOE’s handling, looks to outsiders, as if the CEC really isn’t an important body. Whoever gets on the CEC I hope that they can muster the strength to fight back.

By: Hayley

Hayley — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:43:47 +0000

I would be very interested in learning how much money was spent on what struck me as the rather extravagant design, production, and distribution of the mailings, flyers, ads, online presence and “robo-calls” to promote participation in this questionable straw poll process.

By: Kim Landsman

Kim Landsman — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:29:11 +0000

The DOE also decided after the straw vote was completed that the selectors would only receive the straw vote results of parents from their school; they did not get the full results.

By: Michael M

Michael M — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:43:54 +0000

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
– Joseph Stalin

Personally, I would like to see staggered 2-year terms, with annual elections, and half the panel turning over each year. The learning curve is steep, and yet continuity is important.

Also note that despite my repeated requests over the past two months or so, DOE (OFEA) refused to disclose candidates’ schools.

This may yet prove pivotal in districts with more than nine candidates, some with multiple candidates from a particular school, such as D2, given that the pertinent Chancellor’s Reg precludes more than one CEC member being elected from any one school. Not that you could glean that from the PTTP website, nor was it in the “everything you need to know” mailing to selectors.

Anything to randomize — and therefore undermine — the will of the parents.

By: Rebecca Daniels

Rebecca Daniels — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:07:10 +0000

Jennifer,

Thank you for the coverage, on behalf of CECD2. I think CEC3 has the correct idea.

This just reinforces the complete disregard,and disrespect on the part of the DOE, for the CECs and all parents. They cannot cut the vocal cords. The wasteful spending and, once again, lack of professional planning, will not go by quietly.

What are these people being paid for? Would the mayor like his election to be held like this? No he knew how to work that out as well.

Rebecca Daniels
President CECD2