I am disappointed in the Everett School Board’s censure of Jessica Olson. (Wednesday, “Everett School Board censures fellow member over discord.”)
The last two years should have taught our
elected officials that the taxpayers are done with the “shut up and pay up” attitude toward us. Fifty percent of the property taxes in this area go to the Everett School District. The taxpayers have a right to know and comment on where that money is being spent.
Censuring another board member for not operating how they want her to smacks of bullying. The other four members don’t agree with Director Olson. They don’t like her style, she doesn’t “fit in” and she’s an “outsider” who upsets the “status quo.” So, they essentially decided to bully her with a symbolic shove into a locker in an attempt to intimidate her. The anti-bullying curriculum in the schools teaches that a diversity of opinions is valuable and that students should embrace differences. Perhaps the rest of the school board could use a remedial class on that.
Director Olson, like the rest of the board, was elected. She brings value to the school board by trying to create more openness with the voters. Her “reward” has been grief from other board members who don’t like to be accountable to the public. By censuring her, they are really censuring the voters who sent her to the board. Jessica should be applauded for being the one member who does her job for the families of this district instead of working behind our backs.
Kim Guymom
Everett
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