By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
A Bridge Too Far…I Wash My Hands of Public Education
Lake County sources told me that the Riverside School Board was considering hiring the former Superintendent of Willoughby – Eastlake Public Schools, Steve Thompson as the new CFO/Treasurer for the school district. There was a special school board meeting today at 7:30 am to vote on hiring Mr. Thompson. I attended the meeting and recorded the vote for all to see.
What is very interesting to me is that there was no discussion by the board, just a yes or no vote. It has been my position that the taxpayers have the right to know publicly why board members voted for any individual, or their position on an issue. Transparency is a key to good governance.
Years ago, I reported on Mr. Thompson’s leadership while he was Superintendent at the Willoughby – Eastlake School District. He was very adroit at getting property tax levies passed, and Emergency Levies where commonplace in his district. I expect that expertise will be used very soon by the Riverside School Board, and time will tell if I am correct. Here are a couple articles dealing with the new hire.
I have personally spent countless hours going to, recording, and reporting on varies school boards in Lake County and in the State of Ohio. The hiring of Steve Thompson, by the three school board members that I supported (I was the Treasurer of the Denise Brewster campaign) is beyond the pale.
It has caused me to, reluctantly, rethink my efforts on behalf of citizens and focus on areas and issues that perhaps can help the citizens of Lake County and the State of Ohio. Sadly, 60% – 70% of a homeowner’s property taxes are for the schools, and they are being priced out of their homes. No one seems to care to do anything about it.
I will no longer attend any school board meetings, or support any candidates in anyway, because, quite frankly it does not seem to make a difference. A citizen gets three minutes to address the School Board, no answers are ever given to questions, and you are dismissed as being “anti-children” if you are negative in any way.
You are just supposed to shut-up, pay the ever-increasing property taxes, and just accept that your school district is a poor performer.
If anyone continues to vote for any property tax levies, they will be funding their own demise!
Categories: Lake, Uncategorized