Emporia_Spartan (anonymous) says...

Hopefully, Mr. Crouch will be able to attend more Board meetings than he has in the past. He has missed many important votes, and I am more than a little surprised that he decided to commit for another 4 years. I really hope that more people will run and give the district patrons a choice during the spring election. We had some really good candidates step forward when Mr. Garza resigned. Angie Miller, Amy Scheller-- we need you to file again! You would be great additions to the board!!! The three "new" members have added new life, interest, and scrutiny so that the district is moving in the right direction rather than being a rubber stamp to whims and fads. I have appreciated Mr. Helbert's legal mind, Mr. Strickland's analytical questions, and Mrs. Schreiber's strong leadership. We need more people like them willing to take on the daunting task of leadership in a non-paid position to help our school district improve even more. The filing deadline is fast approaching, and we need committed residents to pitch in.

January 21, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

concerned_citizen (anonymous) says...

Dear Emporia Spartan, I mean School Board member

It is apparent that you are utilizing the Gazette's blog to promote your time on the board as well as show your differing views to that of Mr. Crouch. It appears you have issues with people who have varying opinions. I agree that there were very good candidates that stepped up when Mr. Garza resigned. The two that you named may be your friends but I believe they will also challenge your votes as Mr. Crouch did. You ask for people to step up for the non-paid position to help the school district. I think it is a little much to attack a person who has missed some meetings for the unpaid position without asking why. The gazette was good to comment as to why Ms. Helmer had missed meetings but failed to mention the reasons for Mr. Riles or Mr. Crouch's absences. What are their records for the 4 years on the board vs. just 2008? I for one am glad to see Mr. Crouch run again I have been waiting to see if he will file or not. I will also miss Ms. Helmer's leadership.

January 21, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

native_emporia (anonymous) says...

As a parent that has attended several board meetings over the last several years and sat on many district committees, I can say from a first hand viewpoint that I have been very happy with Mr. Crouch as a board member. As a member of this community that has not missed voting in an election since I was legally able to, I can also state for certain that Mr. Crouch will have my vote this spring. It will be good for our district to retain an individual with experience given the upcoming budget cuts that they will see with the state of our economy.

I find it unfortunate that individuals are passing judgment on Mr. Crouch after he has given so much of himself to this community in several volunteer, non-paid situations. I am also aware that the Gazette did fail in equally covering the reasons for board member's absences. What a shame that Emporia_Spartan has based their sole opinion upon one article. I wonder if Emporia_Spartan has ever ran or held a public position for no-pay!

I do not want to directly attack any board member; however, I feel that Emporia_Spartan seems to have put the three new members on a pedestal. As a parent of children in this district I can state that some of the new members decisions were not what I felt were the best interest of children in this district, nor do I feel they have in anyway moved this district forward. I hope to see the position left open filled by a parent that is more in touch with the needs of our students rather then more people without children currently in the district. I do hope to see Mrs. Miller or Mrs. Scheller file for the open positions.

January 21, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )