We need more research on at-large voting

Posted

To the Editor:

In the interest of truth and transparency, I would like to set the record straight and provide an accurate representation of the events preceding and during the March 22 Board of Education meeting. At the last possible minute, President Scott Eckers added an item to the agenda calling for the adoption of a resolution that would substitute specific-seat balloting for at-large voting for the May 15 budget vote and trustee election.

While this issue was briefly discussed last year, there was total disregard for three board members, because Mr. Eckers failed to notify Joseph Parisi, Brian O’Flaherty and me that this issue was going to be revisited at this time. We were completely blindsided by the unforeseen inclusion of this important item, leaving us without the opportunity to research, think about, discuss its merits or lack thereof and its implications for and impact on the taxpayers and stakeholders of our school district. This was an egregious use of power and a complete abandonment of transparency by Mr. Eckers.

The proper protocol is for all agenda items to be known by all board members before the start of a meeting. This action was divisive and not in the best interests of the community, which deserves full transparency. I will insist on proposing a resolution at the next board meeting to have Proposition Three removed from the ballot and suggest convening a committee to study at-large vs. seat-by-seat voting.

Marcee Rubinstein

Board of Education trustee