rawlinson – us

Board of Miseducation

Tonight was the final chance the school board of cabell county had to name the replacement for Dr. Borowski. While my name was technically still in the hat I think only a fool would have thought I was still in consideration after last week. However, I still wanted to see what happened and I wanted to see the resolution so I suited up and headed to the board meeting tonight.

The first fifty minutes or so were held in executive session where the board discussed some property issues then they emerged to make their big decision for the night – who would get the fifth seat?

Barr and Holly both made it obvious last week that they really wanted Duncan even if they never nominated him or said a word in his favor. Furthermore, Barr, in a newspaper article, made it sound like tonights events would resume exactly where they left off (an impasse on Duncan).

I was prepared for the worst going in but hopeful for something better and Mrs. Oxley carried a torch of hope as well. She proposed that each board member put forth their top 3 candidates, then the board could discuss positives and minuses. Mrs. Holley didn’t like the sound of that because she was afraid she would offend someone while talking about their negatives. Eventually Superintendant Smith suggested they each put forth their top two and then only discuss positives. The board agreed to proceed with that plan.

Mrs Oxley nominated Steve Thomas and Carla Parker. Mr. Thomas nominated Mary Neely and Carla Parker. Mr. Barr nominated Rick Duncan and Mary Neely. Mrs. Holley nominated Rick Duncan and Nancy Newfeld. Then each board member went around in turn and explained what they liked about their two people. All four made a great case for their two candidates so it seemed only a matter of time before they would reach consensus on one of them.

Sadly a consensus was not in the plans; at least not an official one. Eventually, after listening to Mr Barr ramble a bit and talk about Horse races and call me out specifically in reference to them, Mrs. Oxley suggested that because there were three candidates left with two supporters each (Duncan, Neely, and Parker) that the four board members should name their top two of those three.

Mrs. Holley named Duncan and Neely. Barr named Duncan and Neely. Thomas named Neely and Parker. Finally Oxley named Parker and Neely. All four were suddenly agreeing that they thought Mrs Neely would be a good choice! A final decision seemed eminent but it was not to be. No, Holley lamented that they had reached an impasse again and Barr started to ramble again. Fortunately, Mrs Oxley stepped up again and suggested they compromise on the one candidate that all four agreed on. The audience grumbled their support of that idea. Even Mrs. Holley seemed to agree with the idea so she proposed an odd solution; vote out Duncan and Parker and then they would all, obviously agree on Neely.

Oxley nominated Parker (seconded by Thomas) and she was voted down 2-2. Then for some reason Thomas nominated Neely and there was a mass of confusion on the stage so they started over. Again, Parker was nominated by Oxley (seconded by Thomas) and shot down 2-2. Then Holley nominated Duncan and it all we needed was for Barr to accept defeat and nominate Duncan. He wouldn’t and no vote occurred. Mrs Holley then complained that the other two wouldn’t nominate Duncan – it was as if she couldn’t just give Mr. Barr a piece of her mind.

Eventually Mrs. Neely was nominated by Thomas and seconded by Oxley. She was voted down 2-2! What the heck? Why didn’t Holley vote for Neely since that was what she was trying to setup anyway by getting Duncan voted out? The impasse was breakable but instead it was just fortified. I was dismayed at Barr for refusing to give up on Duncan and I was saddened by Holley for not just being the champion and voting for Neely.

Mrs. Holley then complained about how she thought it sucked that Duncan wouldn’t be voted on and I suggested she look at her partner sine Duncan was his man. At this point both Holley and Barr took offense to my interruption and seemed to suggest I leave so I stood, walked to the front of the room, thanked Holley for at least trying, and then told Mr. Barr that he is a disgrace.

The board had a good opportunity to pick a candidate and show that they can come to a consensus. They had made it easy for themselves by all agreeing with Mrs. Neely in their final two – yet, sadly, Barr just could do it. He could’t step up and accept the situation and instead he stubbornly dug in his heels.

I tried to get on the board because I thought I could help but at this point I’m glad I wasn’t chosen. I do not think I would enjoy working with Mr Barr and I do not feel he has the County’s best interest at heart; instead he seems more concerned with his pride. It was a sad day for Cabell County.