It’s often said that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. What does that mean for the board of education?
Apple ballot endorsed candidates have shown feckless, fearful, and obedient behavior in office. Time after time, member after member. From fear of making an independent decision during the pandemic to the whiplash of closing, opening, closing the virtual academy to their constant vacuous words. They are beholden to the whims of MCEA union leadership.
Given the likelihood of at least one apple ballot candidate getting on the board, what shall we expect? More of universal union goals: more money, less accountability, and less work for its dues paying members. That is understood.
However, MCEA leadership also works against its dues paying members. MCEA leadership loyally follows their national NEA leadership to advance the goals of radical groups like the Democratic Socialists of America in schools over the daily concerns of teachers on the ground.
What shall we expect? More of teachers and administrators left to deal with an environment favoring activism over academics, lack of consequences, physical danger for staff and students, anti-Israel bias, and girls pushed out of their spaces.
The crystal balls predict an elected apple slate will be 1) Natalie Zimmerman going all in on DEI and abolishing tests and grades; 2) Laura Stewart going all in on school closures, masks, and mental telehealth contracts to Travis Gayles’ company; and 3) Rita Montoya going all in on creating more bureaucratic union jobs.
The tarot cards predict the union-socialist machine will use any means necessary to protect its corruption, cronyism, and contracts (to quote school board candidate Sharif Hidayat) and block any outsider from the board. Ask yourself why Natalie Zimmerman, Laura Stewart, and Lynne Harris take dark money contributions from ActBlue for a local nonpartisan schoolboard race.
Beware of the vipers dressed as empaths, narcissists disguised as altruists, and cruelty behind a mask of compassion from those in power. They do not have the moral high ground. They left a path of destruction through MCPS and damaged a generation of kids.
The tea leaves predict the tide will turn. Slowly at first. Disgruntled MCPS teachers and families will continue to grow more disenchanted with the extremism of the apple ballot. More and more strong alternative candidates will run for the board. Eventually one will break through and be elected. It takes one to stop the bleeding and expose the corruption, cronyism, and contracts. Next a few more will follow and do the major surgery to bring real change to the board and to MCPS. Finally, we can turn the page. Students and teachers will be free to feel the joy of school again. Schools will again be a place of academic rigor, safety, and high morale.
