Jack Ford changes mind and supports Hill…
20 Jul 2009
While the full details are not yet reported on, Jack Ford had originally stated he was going to support Aji Green, and there was some in the community who believed if he held firm to that position, either two of the other three board members would have to change who they were supporting or the decision would be made by the Probate Court. It was also known that Darlene Fisher had expressed her preference for the appointment to go to someone who was not a candidate. As reported in the Blade, Brenda Hill received the appointment to fill Steve Steel’s vacant seat. I’m sure there will be more to this later as far as details, so I’ll update then…
I’m also concerned about her ties to the teacher’s union. Does anyone know what kind of teacher she was? Was she a good teacher who put forth the effort for students or was she the type of teacher who didn’t care and was just trying to get through the day?
July 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm#1 Robin Says:
“I’m also concerned about her ties to the teacher’s union. Does anyone know what kind of teacher she was? Was she a good teacher who put forth the effort for students or was she the type of teacher who didn’t care and was just trying to get through the day?”
Robin, We are merely spectators to plans already laid, financed and now in the process of being implemented.
There were no secrets here as we were warned by various advocacy groups’ years ago that there was this big push for control of the TPS board. And while the system managed to turn us against each other, the powers that be paid the piper and now call the tunes.
Although we do not know about the quality of the new candidates, there are many of us that believe that we know who they owe their allegiance to…and some suspect that it ain’t us or the schools.
We have just spent millions of dollars on new schools and some have fought battles against all odds to try to save some schools. Some of us have been fighting for, transparency, academic improvement and security issues for years. Some of these candidates were nowhere to be found. Now that a seat or two opens up, those that are beholden to other bodies are handpicked and heavily financed with massive yard signs, and led to the head of the class, (or to the back room.) Can they read contracts? Do they know law or business? Can they read financial sheets? Are they schooled in administrative protocol? Are they experts in finding grants or government funding? Have they ever designed educational programs? Just what professionalism do they bring to the table? Are they just picked to go along to get along? Unless we discover a way out of this unqualified selection mess there will soon be a full grown 800 lb. gorilla in the TPS board room and in control for years to come. In these extremely difficult economic times we need qualified people in our government positions. I would ask that you GCJ bloggers be patient with me as you know that I am still studying Toledo politics 101
Only on GCJ will you even find a discussion on this takeover and it’s not over yet.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pmSo, I knew the first half of this two-fer. They had to advance Steel without a campaign. And they did, now it’s confirmed, the TFT got their part too – Brenda Hill.
I don’t really blame Ford so much, he looks as though he is very ill. And in that position he probably didn’t have it in him to put up much of a fight.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pmThere is a lot of time between today and November 3. I’m sure that it was not an easy decision, but we must remember that this was not the election. I’m sure that Brenda will do a wonderful job fighting for what she believes in.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:34 pmThe grapevine said that Lawrence wanted Hill to be appointed.
Hill has run a very low key, hardly seen, campaign. She is soft spoken and not very dynamic when you do see her on the campaign trail. In addition, she is not well known – never heard of her before February of this year when it became known to me that Lawrence had “hand picked” the Democratic Party screening committee which included her husband and former TFT President, Dal Lawrence and had already picked her three for TFT which included Hill and the other two currently endorsed Democratic clique candidates (notice I did not say party as I don’t believe the current party leadership represents Lucas County Democrats – just MOST of the current office holders and the special interests that fund them).
With a “hardly seen” – low key campaign and her personality, most whom I talked with believed that Hill needed the appointment to have any real chance in November. I’m not sure this will make a difference as Steven Thomas got the appointment and had 10 months to get retained and he finished fourth in 2005 just out of the money.
Aji Green wrote:
I too am sure she will do a wonderful job fighting for the interests of the TFT. Hopefully someday we might actually have a board that puts this community and its children first.
Yes, I know that snowballs don’t last long on Toledo streets in July but from time to time miracles do happen – at least I’ve been told they happen.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:32 pmEveryone has the right to run for political office__it is the American way. And once the candidate clears a background check and there are no conflicts of interest like outstanding loans to the particular union or healthcare policies and benefits that are held on the candidates or family members etc, etc, anyone and everyone has the right to run. Some concerns are that some candidates appear to have been selected, supported and endorsed__ not by the parents, the public or those involved with school issues for years__ but rather by the TFT union with whom they will have to negotiate contracts, policies and other issues. Who will bite the hand that feeds them? And if they offer to excuse themselves from all votes where there might be a conflict of interest with the union__ why would the union or the public want them on the board in the first place? There are more questions than answers.
What I am also concerned about is that if a powerful union is able to control the TPS board from within and without by handpicking candidates that have personal ties of any size, shape or manner to its’ union, then we lose all checks and balances and the fox could be in charge of the hen house or the 800 lb. gorilla has the floor at TPS!
The TFT does an excellent job of controlling and representing their constituents which are the teachers. The school board should be representing their constituents which are the students, the parents and the communities, and like oil and water they should not be mixed with the exception of when they are all on the same page for the benefit of the children.
Just be prepared to see and hear all types of press releases crediting the the new nominee with all types of bold new ideas in hopes that name and press recognition will cement the seat. It just worked the other day and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
Will the new candidate challenge TFT on teacher hiring practices, unfair treatment of African American students, the failure to set policies that will encourage and allow more qualified teachers in the inner city schools, more transparency and dialog with students, parents and advocacy groups throughout the system?
If the public does not care about this then let the games begin and it’s back to business as usual in Holy Toledo.
(Hi K, Nice to meet ya )
July 21st, 2009 at 1:58 amMr. Ford appeared (TV) to be sleeping during a recent meeting…sad if true.
Perhaps family/friends should talk to him about stepping down….
July 21st, 2009 at 8:57 amNice to meet you too!!
July 21st, 2009 at 2:57 pmTom Says:
“Mr. Ford appeared (TV) to be sleeping during a recent meeting…”
Lol! He must be getting ready to run for mayor again!
July 21st, 2009 at 9:09 pmMr. Ford also appears to be sleeping throughout most of Coffee with the Fords, too.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 amMr. Ford slept throughout his one term as mayor!!!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm