Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Neosho Board: Whatever our legislators do, we will support

If Gary Nodler and Kevin Wilson say Donayle Whitmore-Smith is the right person for the State Board of Education, Neosho R-5 Board of Education members will fall meekly in line.
That is the message R-5 Superintendent Richard Page gave to Joplin Globe reporter in an article posted today:

"We will support their (the lawmakers') stance," Page said. "We need to have a strong front."


Page makes it clear that he is opposed to Ms. Whitmore-Smith, as do other area educators questioned by Ms. Greer, but if he and R-5 board members expect area legislators to buck the governor (and their own campaign contributors), they may be in for a rude awakening.

Though I cannot recall Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, receiving any contributions from groups supporting educational vouchers, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, has. Across the area, Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, and Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, have all accepted campaign contributions from All Children Matter, one of the nation's leading voucher proponents.

Hunter, in fact, was handpicked by Speaker of the House Rod Jetton to be a member of the Special Committee for School Choice (school choice is the politically palatable euphemism for vouchers).

In the Globe article, Carl Junction Superintendent Phil Cook indicates he was "pleased" after talking to Sen. Nodler.

"He wants to do what is best for public education," Cook said.
Cook may be in for a rude awakening on this one.
***
As for the Globe's coverage of the appointment of Ms. Whitmore-Smith, as far as I can recall this is the first locally written article that has even mentioned it and there is not much digging into her background, though there is plenty of information on the public background.
Ms. Whitmore-Smith has made many statements that do nothing to disguise her contempt for public education and her unwavering support of vouchers.

There is also no examination of her Ptah Academy, which seemed to stand for a lot of new age philosophy that would normally be anathema to those who most vigorously support her appointment. Apparently, her support for vouchers is the only thing that counts with Governor Matt Blunt, who owes a great debt to All Children Matter for the $200,000 in attack ads against State Auditor Claire McCaskill the organization bought in the waning days of the 2004 governor's race.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You point out that Senator Nodler has recieved contributions from groups supporting educational vouchers. You do not point out that he has recieved as many or more contributions from public school groups that oppose them. Why????

Anonymous said...

I do not trust Knothead Nodler, and have came to not trust Wilson either. Both are for big business and are wimps in my book.

Anonymous said...

I hope that school officials and voters will pay VERY close attention to Nodler's response in this case. Let's hope this isn't a case of saying one thing and doing another. Our public school system needs 100% from our elected officials.

Anonymous said...

To Randy: You point out that Senator Nodler has recieved contributions from groups supporting educational vouchers. You do not point out that he has recieved as many or more contributions from public school groups that oppose them. Why????

Anonymous said...

Anonymous:
Why do you feel the need to repeat yourself?

Randy said...

Senator Nodler receives contributions from public school groups and labor unions simply so they can at least get their foot in the door and get him to listen. My guess would be neither holds out much hope of getting anything more from the contribution. All Children Matter, on the other hand, does not contribute unless it has absolute certainty that the legislator backs its views right down the line. Take for instance the makeup of the House Committee for School Choice appointed by Senator Rod Jetton. In a show of bipartisanship, Jetton appointed two Democrats to head the committee...both of whom favored last year's tax credit for private schools proposal and both of whom have received contributions from All Children Matter. You don't get the organization's money unless it has assurances you back its agenda. However, if I am proven to be wrong and we see Sen. Nodler and these other officials backing public schools and opposing the voucher movement, I will be happy to admit I am wrong. And simple platitudes about how much they support public education won't get it.

Anonymous said...

Has Senator Nodler recieved a contribution form 'All Children Matter"?

Anonymous said...

Randy,
Has Senator Nodler recieved a contribution form "All Children Matter"? You made a point about this group only supporting candidates that have endorsed vouchers in responding to the point that Nodler has recieved contributions from both sides...so finish your point??????

Randy said...

Sen. Nodler has not received contributions from All Children Matter, but has received contributions from K12, which is another voucher supporter that does not contribute to anyone who does not support its agenda.

Anonymous said...

K12 has contributed to many candidates including strong public school supporters that do not support vouchers. K12 has other private education interests besides vouchers, Randy you are wrong on this one!

Anonymous said...

the first question was repeated because it wasn't answered for days. Repeating the question got it answered.

Randy said...

K12 is similar to many of our legislators- it gives lip service to supporting public schools, while at the same time it has built its business on private schools, voucher support, and homeschooling. The company also supplies curriculum for virtual schools, which on the basis of it sounds like a great idea, but it has always been one of the top legislative goals of groups such as All Children Matter. The links are there and most people have the ability to see them for what they are.