Although the playground proverb asserts that
“sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt
me,” the adage is all wrong. Words do have power.
Although the playground proverb asserts that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” the adage is all wrong. Words do have power.
At first blush, the events of the April 6 school board meeting – at which five-letter words like “loser” and “moron” were bandied about – are funny, until you remember that millions of taxpayer dollars and the education of thousands of children are at stake.
The Morgan Hill School District is teetering on the edge of chaos. The school board and district administration have lost the trust of a significant portion of the community. A recall effort resulted in the resignation of one trustee and the impending retirements of three others. Both the capital budget and the operating budget are filled with red ink. The school board faces the real possibility of 3-3 votes on important issues over the next several months.
But instead of rising to the demands of difficult times by displaying leadership and character, some have sunk to the level of playground taunts.
George Panos’ prepared statements attacking Jasmine Woodworth, a possible candidate to fill a vacant seat on the school board, at very least require that he utter at least one more five-letter word: Sorry.
He and fellow school board member Del Foster – who was Panos’ accomplice in what looks like a bungled attempt at character assassination – owe Woodworth an apology in as public and passionate a manner as their clumsy and ridiculous effort to cast doubt upon Woodworth by whipping out a letter that incorrectly listed her as a recall proponent.
Panos’ and Foster’s reliance on the letter from the Registrar of Voters office was ridiculous because even if Woodworth had been a recall proponent, she would have done nothing wrong. Recalls are an important part of our system of government, and Woodworth has every right to support the recall efforts or not.
But their apology shouldn’t stop with Woodworth. Panos and Foster also owe an apology to the entire community. Parents, students and taxpayers of this district have every right to hold those in public office to a higher standard of behavior than Foster, and especially Panos, displayed.
When faced with harsh criticism – even the regrettable ‘moron’ comment uttered by an audience member – we rightly expect our officials to rise above petty retribution. The school board dais should not be used as a forum to publicly chastise one’s political enemies.
The very name of their position of leadership – trustee – should tell those privileged to hold the office that anything they do in an official capacity, especially during a school board meeting, should only serve to further the best interests of the students, parents and taxpayers of this district.
The April 6 debacle led by Panos – with an assist from Foster – fell breathtakingly short of that standard. They abused their position of public trust and responsibility.
Creating a boardroom atmosphere so foul that it can only reduce the number of prospective candidates for four open seats this fall is just one of the ways Foster and especially Panos did a disservice to the public on April 6.
As far as Panos, sorry may not be enough. With his prepared statement tirade, he may have so sullied his office that only his resignation will set things right. That’s a decision he’ll have to make, but one he ought to at least be considering.
Finally, a word to anyone considering a school board candidacy this fall: Please don’t be put off by the antics at the April 6 meeting. The presence of four new trustees committed to exhibiting civil responses to disagreement, who welcome public input, who expect and react graciously to criticism, will make an enormous difference.
And for Foster and Panos, so will very public, very humble apologies.
