A few observations about tonight's Joplin R-8 Board of Education candidate forum, which was sponsored by the newly formed Missouri Southern State University NAACP chapter:
-The forum ran as smoothly as any candidate forum I have seen, and I have been covering candidate forums since 1977. Serving as moderators were McKinzie Peterson, the chapter's second vice president, and Taija Jones, chapter president.
-The candidate agreed with each other on so many things that it almost seemed like they dwelt in the land of Nodding.
-None of the candidates really answered the question on DEI, but they all gave it a game effort.
-The candidates, incumbents Rylee Hartwell and John Hird and former board member Derek Gander (Victor Sly was a no show) agreed on the need to increase students' use of Franklin Tech, increase parental participation and none of them were in favor of vouchers, even though Derek Gander left an open option for them in the case of a victim of bullying or a pregnant teen needs to transfer to another district.
I am disappointed that Victor did not show. I have known him for a long time. The others did not impress me.
ReplyDeletePretty bad when the sponsor’s selected candidate doesn’t show
ReplyDeleteThe entire forum was a joke, such garbage. Equal opportunity that's it. Do with it what you want. Gander is a moron. How did he get elected the first time?
ReplyDelete