HAS EPISD LOST ITS WAY? WHO WILL GUIDE IT
The Voters Have Spoken!
IFirst, let me extend my congratulations and those of FPDA to our own member, Dr. Jack Loveridge on his reelection.
Now, my analysis of the recent EPISD school board and the one just elected. The board, until this election was basically a 4 to 3 divided board with the majority supporting the administration (and, by extension the superintendent) and the usual tax and spend philosophy that has prevailed for so many years. In the most recent clash, the 4 voted to close 8 schools, the three voted to close fewer. In the recent election, two of the three were up for reelection and won. Also, two of the four were up for reelection and were turned out in 3-way races. To me, these results say that the voters want a change from business-as-usual. We now see a shift in the “balance of power.” My hope is that we will see a change, that the new board will see the value in preserving neighborhood schools, will focus on improving the education of children rather than empire building and develop new and creative ways to meet those objectives. In my mind, the “new and creative ways” don’t involve taxing the life out of its constituents, preserving “jobs” at all costs and making a fine living for the city’s building contractors. In the not too distant future, we will be asking Dr. Loveridge (one of the former 3 now of the present 4) for his views on the complexion of the newly elected board.
Fred Evans, president
