As expected, Democrat Ted Raczka was re-elected Board of Education Chair, and Bill Boyd co-chair, and while the Democratic majority on the board tilted the vote in Raczka's favor, it was not a vote entirely along party lines.
In fact, Democratic board member Renee Johnson-Thornton started the proceedings by breaking with her party and nominating Republican colleague Sheila Daniels. The vote, a secret paper ballot, ended in the election of Raczka 5-4.
Asked after the ballot why she crossed party lines to nominate Daniels, Johnson-Thornton reflected on Daniels' peformance on the board.
"I vote based on what I think is right, and not on party affiliation," Johnson-Thornton said. "And over the time I've been on the board, some of the most compelling arguments around this table have come from Sheila Daniels. Like me, I think she has the best interest of the kids at heart. We need to always think about what is best for the students and the schools, and not be worried about party affiliation."
It's too bad Sheila Daniels was not elected BOE chairperson at last night's meeting. She would bring a lot more insight and promote better discussion and decision making by the members.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Renee Johnson-Thornton for breaking from her party and voting for who she felt would be the better person, period. It's a shame that the other Democrats don't do the same, instead they use our children's education as a political venue.