| New Board of Ed members sworn in | ||
 Rasheed Abdul-Haqq |  Pat Barksdale | |
 Lisa Logan-Leach | ||
"...and that I will faithfully, impartially and justly perform all the duties of that office to the best of my ability, so help me God..." With those words, three new members of the Board of Education were sworn in and seated at Tuesday's school board meeting. And immediately, they have been thrown into the middle of a funding challenge facing all 31 Abbott school districts. On the same day, Gov. Jon Corzine made an unprecedented appearance in the courtroom as New Jersey's Supreme Court heard arguments on freezing aid to Abbott schools at current levels. In an unusual move designed to underscore the seriousness with which the administration views the request, Attorney General Zulima Farber herself argued the case before the Court. And how will this impact Plainfield? If the state succeeds in keeping funding flat for the next year -- and succeeding years? -- the estimated minimum 4% per year increase in fixed costs will have to be absorbed by raising property taxes in the local community to fund the difference. Corzine has signalled not only that funding is on the table, but by suggesting that some districts use the state funds in a wasteful -- or worse -- manner, is implying a stricter review of how funds will be spent in the future. What can we expect? First, the Plainfield Board of Education will be faced with serious questions of how to fund its expenses next year. Second, David Sciarra and the umbrella group for the Abbott schools will have to re-examine its strategies and goals. Stormy weather ahead. In reorganizing, Lenny Cathcart was elected board president, with all 'ayes' except for the abstention of Lisa Logan-Leach. Pat Barksdale was elected vice president, also with Logan-Leach's abstention. For an overview of other issues the Board of Ed will face, see my earlier post "Board of Ed 'Pick 3' - 1 6 7". Previous posts on Board of Ed matters: => Tuesday - April 18: "Barksdale and Abdul-Haqq slimed in last-minute mailing piece" =>Wednesday - April 19: "Barksdale and Abdul-Haqq top vote getters" =>Friday - April 21: "HITS: CSI: Plainfield - a forensic slash at the slimy school campaign mailer..." -- Dan Damon * | ||
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Board of Ed faces new challenges
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1 comment:
Dan,
Your article brings forth a pet peeve of mine: I have always considered abstaining from voting* to be inappropriate for an elected or appointed official.
While Roberts Rules of Order observes that a member has no right to explain his/her vote, and neither can they be "compelled to vote," Roberts also maintains that "it is the duty of every member who has an opinion on a question to express it by his/her vote." It further informs that "Since an abstention has the same effect as a negative vote, [such action] denies members the right to maintain a neutral position by abstaining."
I wish more people understood that abstaining from voting makes their decision not to take a stand on an issue a very obvious stand.
(*) except on matters of direct personal interest.
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