A small but vocal group of Scarborough High School parents is working toward a recall of three members of our Board of Education, in an effort to sway votes during a dispute between the school principal and the superintendent. The group, Road to Renewal, is targeting only three members because two more already are up for re-election in November. They hope this will give the group five seats on the board.
Who do they endorse or plan to have run for all those empty seats? Obviously, they need someone who agrees with them. When asked, they repeatedly refuse to say, using the “one step at a time” excuse. Paul Johnson, the Road to Renewal spokesman, could not name one single person interested, but feels that “strong and smart people will fill their shoes” when the time comes. Joe Kazilonis said he was considering running for one of the recalled seats, but knew of no one else interested. Another member told me it just wasn’t public information and that I would know when the time came.
The races for these boards are usually not highly contested. Not many have the desire, qualifications or time to serve. The budget process in Scarborough is a nightmare. Just the way we are treating the present board is enough to convince good people not to run.
Road to Renewal wants to replace five out of seven members of the Board of Education by November, with no prospects in the wings? This group is organized. I believe they have candidates chosen but they are deliberately not releasing their names.
How can anyone, no matter how they feel about any board, vote to replace the majority without knowing the names and platforms of the potential replacements?
Linda Vickerson
Scarborough
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