trying so hard to convince a third man the error of his ways but to no avail. At that point the Fonda character says to him, "He can't hear you. He never will"
Truer words were never spoken. This school board can't hear you. Never will.
School Board, not true you say? Prove it tomorrow.
Vote NO and show us we are wrong about you.
schoolboardmembers@fcps.edu
______________________________________________________
From: Center, Brad (School Board Member) [BCenter@fcps.edu]
Sent: 8/24/2010 12:50:45 PM
To: Gibson, Stuart (School Board Member)
Subject: RE: Recommendation for BOS Appeals Process
No you are taking the high road but there is a line from the movie 12 Angry Men that I think applies. At one point the character played by Henry Fonda turns to another man who is trying so hard to convince a third man the error of his ways but to no avail. At that point the Fonda character says to him, "He can't hear you. He never will"
Brad
________________________________________
From: Gibson, Stuart (School Board Member)
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 8:19 PM
To: Center, Brad (School Board Member)
Subject: RE: Recommendation for BOS Appeals Process
Yes. Did my e-mail sound like it was getting into the mud?
________________________________________
From: Center, Brad (School Board Member)
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 5:35 PM
To: Gibson, Stuart (School Board Member)
Subject: RE: Recommendation for BOS Appeals Process
Didn't you recently warn me with something about pigs?
________________________________
From: Gibson, Stuart (School Board Member)
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 2:58 PM
To: Farrell, Kim; Center, Brad (School Board Member); Storck, Dan (School Board Member); Moon, Ilryong (School Board Member); Raney, Jim (School Board Member); Strauss, Jane (School Board Member); Wilson, Tessie (School Board Member); Smith, Kathy L (School Board Member); Bradsher, Elizabeth (School Board Member); Hone, Tina (School Board Member); Reed, Patty (School Board Member); 'HunterMillBOSEmail@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Evans, Sandy (School Board Member); 'SupervisorMcKay@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'SullyDistrictMichaelR.Frey@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Herrity, Pat; Cook, John; 'John.Foust@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Hudgins, Catherine; 'lee@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Gross, Penelope A.; 'mountvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'providence@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'SharonBulova@fairfaxcounty.gov'
Subject: RE: Recommendation for BOS Appeals Process
August 22, 2010
Ms. Farrell,
I am writing to you as you live in Hunter Mill District. It appears that we have different views of the role of an elected official in a representative form of government. This does not mean that I do not listen to or hear the views of various constituent groups. It does mean, however, that I was elected to exercise independent judgment when making important decisions, taking into account not only the views of vocal constituents with a direct stake in the outcome, but also the greater interests of the entirety of Fairfax County and the children whom we serve. Perhaps the best iteration of this viewpoint is contained in an address from the conservative British politician and MP, Edmund Burke, to the Electors of Bristol, England, upon his election to Parliament in 1774. Here is a link to his speech:
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch13s7.html.
As for "appeals" from decisions of the School Board, in Virginia citizens have the same rights of appeal as they have from decisions of Boards of Supervisors and City Councils. And the Board of Supervisors does not have the authority to override or amend Virginia law on this subject.
Thank you for writing to express your views.
Stuart D. Gibson
School Board Member
Hunter Mill District
________________________________
From: Farrell, Kim [Kim.Farrell@occ.treas.gov]
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:28 PM
To: Center, Brad (School Board Member); Storck, Dan (School Board Member); Moon, Ilryong (School Board Member); Raney, Jim (School Board Member); Strauss, Jane (School Board Member); Wilson, Tessie (School Board Member); Smith, Kathy L (School Board Member); Bradsher, Elizabeth (School Board Member); Hone, Tina (School Board Member); Reed, Patty (School Board Member); 'HunterMillBOSEmail@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Evans, Sandy (School Board Member); Gibson, Stuart (School Board Member); 'SupervisorMcKay@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'SullyDistrictMichaelR.Frey@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Herrity, Pat; Cook, John; 'John.Foust@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Hudgins, Catherine; 'lee@fairfaxcounty.gov'; Gross, Penelope A.; 'mountvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'providence@fairfaxcounty.gov'; 'SharonBulova@fairfaxcounty.gov'
Subject: Recommendation for BOS Appeals Process
August 21, 2010
Dear Honorable Board of Supervisors and School Board Members:
I am writing to share a recent set of editorials that highlight a deepening problem between taxpayers and the Fairfax County School Board.
Many School Board members have stopped “representing” their constituents, which is what these officials were elected to do. The two editorials below reflect what hundreds of parents and taxpayers have been protesting for years: a School Board that promotes “listening to the silence.”
When the School Board makes a decision, there is no appeals process, as is found in other school jurisdictions around the country. Therefore, the only recourse is through the costly court system. This does not serve the best interest of county residents and their tax dollars.
Given that the majority of School Board members do not listen to the people that elected them, perhaps it is time for the Board of Supervisors to create an appeals process that will address this very serious problem affecting Fairfax County.
Thank you for “listening.”
Kim Farrell
443-257-3220 Cell
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=343698&paper=62&cat=110
The Connection Newspapers, Thursday, August 19, 2010
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the recent letter submitted by school board members Mr. Gibson and Ms. Wilson (July 29, 2010) . I was truly appalled reading such pontificating by elected officials. Clearly it is a sad commentary on our current political scene that our "representatives" have forgotten the definition of "representative." I would like to address several parts of their treatise.
First, they mention they were elected to make the best decisions for our children and not to listen to the people who elected them. I elect representatives to represent me and the best interests of my community. Not because I think they know better or are smarter than I am. Those people are appointed, not elected.
Mr. Gibson and Ms. Wilson talk about listening to the silence. Listening to the silence is the same as ignoring the opinion of everyone else. Don’t pretend you were listening to anyone, you weren’t.
Mr. Gibson and Ms. Wilson talk about the personal attacks school board members incurred. I am not gong to defend these attacks but let me tell you a little bit about motivation. Ms. Bradsher is a school board member who I personally liked. Members of the community told me she lied to them and changed stories every time they talked to her. I did not believe them. I asked her about what she needed to hear to change her opinion on closing Clifton Elementary. She told me she needed to hear from members of the community who did not have children there and ways to bring down the cost per pupil for the renovation. We provided both of these at the public forums and she not only was not swayed by them but ignored them, like they were never important anyway. Then at the final vote she told the audience "Don’t worry your children will be OK: but it sounded more like "Don’t worry little country bumpkins, we city folk know what’s best." Is it any wonder some people got a little angry?
This board has no humility and no respect for the people they represent. This letter plainly showed that. It was embarrassing for me to even read. For a public servant to lash out at the people they represent in such a callous fashion. I urge every voter in Fairfax County to take back these appointed "representatives" and elect anyone running against them. They brag about the great level of academics they are bringing to our county and that achievement is all that matters. Well Japan has a similar standard and it is no surprise it also has one of the world’s highest suicide rates. I have four college degrees. I certainly understand academic excellence. I wish the members of this board did. I am not convinced they have a clue in what really motivates kids to be good students. Sense of community, belonging, traditions, clearly outdated in this group’s mind. Mr. Gibson and Ms. Wilson, your board made a clearly arbitrary and capricious decision in closing Clifton without an alternative school planned. You never listened to one word in those public forums and never responded to a single argument presented at them.
Lastly, Mr. Gibson and Ms. Wilson mention they were so brave to stand up to the rich and powerful by closing Clifton. Well folks, the rich and powerful do not go to Clifton Elementary, they go to Nysmith. You want to stand up to them try closing that school.
Dr. Matthew Brooks
Ag-Chem Consulting
Clifton