Updated in OP,Help with questioning a school board candidate

[maudefindlay]

Final Update:

He lost!!! Hallelujah!! Let the choir bells ring!!


We are able to submit questions for our school board candidates to answer in a Zoom forum. This candidate has stated he opposes social emotional learning. I get the feeling he doesn't actually know what SEL is. Should I just ask "You are quoted as opposing SEL. Please explain in the context of the 5 parts of SEL what it is you oppose and why"?

Here is a quote. He is wordy and likes to use words and phrases that he doesn't fully understand to try to cover up his not understanding. Here is an example:
Social Emotional Learning (SEL), while full of feel-good language, lacks operational validity and becomes a vehicle for many issues to enter our schools. Ideologies from SEL on self-esteem and compromise destroy the notion of objective truth and are a major cause of the sharp increase in mental health-related issues among our children at....school system.

Update: He looked like the ass he is, but not sure that matters to his fan base (a member of his fan base recently posted a photo of DeSantis "This guy is going to be our next president. The leader this country needs." There was a caption "He's not afraid to say anything. The voice of Americans.")

So there were no questions posed to just one candidate. Each candidate got 1 min to respond to each question, however Douche was directly called out in one question when the moderator said that one candidate has stated opposition to SEL and DEI initiatives. Candidates were asked to share what specific programs they thought our school systems did well/did not do well in those two areas and again be specific. He was so vague and named no program. All other candidates shared specific programs and all were pro SEL and DEI and it was clear based on his response that Douche does not know what SEL is. The moderator called him out for not being specific after his minute was up and actually told him to be specific and again even with a call out and more time he just vague responded. He was the only candidate who said they were against the Referendum we passed 2 yrs ago that provided a much needed raise for all teachers and aides and provided funds for school safety. He said if we were to pass another when he is on the board he "Would feel like a failure". The moderator pushed him to share his opposition to SEL and DEI again and he said they lack operational validity as they don't define anything and they promote conformity that he doesn't want his kids conforming to. He also mentioned his support of book banning, the only one to do that. Another candidate had the perfect response for not banning books, again making him more the ass. At the end he said he "got the rub on SEL and DEI" and asked for those with questions to directly contact him on his FB so he could "clear that up". Uhhh, that's what the forum was for Dumbass. You had the chance. Also, he is driving around in his little truck with a billboard of himself on the back, I know this as I saw it out yesterday driving into town. Gag!

[maudefindlay]

Here is another quote:
Get harmful ideology out of our schools

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives destroy the individualism of our children by judging our students as members of groups, a discriminatory & dehumanizing practice.

What would you ask here to call him out? Current and former teachers will be reviewing questions, so I do need to write this out properly or it won't get submitted.

Also, I have it in for this Douche Bag. He comes to our PTO meetings and tries to school us women (no other men attend except the Principal) and tries to derail the meetings to what he wants even though he holds no office and lost in running for President, lost by a landslide.

Lastly, my neighbor has one of his signs in their yard and I want to Julia Sugarbaker it with my car.

[erbear]

I'd ask something like "you're on record as being opposed to both SEL and DEI work in schools. My understanding of both of these topics is that they are lifesavers for kids who are often marginalized and harmed in schools. Can you please explain why you think SEL lacks operational validity and what the "issues" you think might be brought into schools if we teach kids the value of self esteem and taking care of their mental health? Also, you've gone on record as stating that DEI "dehumanizes children". Can you back up that claim with any actual research, or is this just a racist dog whistle because you're afraid that white boys might recognize their privilege in the world?"

I'm kind of an asshole about this stuff though, so you may want to be nicer. But maybe not? I'd actually bring research backed studies about the value of these things and out-intelligence him.

[imimahoney]

I would ask him to cite his research and specific examples of what he believes is happening in schools.

Although when you ask that question it could open up a pandoras box to even more ridiculous shit.

[Patsy Baloney]

“I see that you’re a trash ass piece of shit. Please just say, ‘Yes, I am,’ once I finish talking.”

[sofamonkey]

Sept 26, 2022 9:10:05 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

“I see that you’re a trash ass piece of shit. Please just say, ‘Yes, I am,’ once I finish talking.”

This. The direct approach is often best.

[goldengirlz]

What’s the “tone” of your school board, meaning: will calling out his offensive views be enough to get people not to vote for him? Or do most people think the way he does?

Because those are two different tactics. The second is trickier but I like how you’re trying to press him on the details and attempt to embarrass him that way. If getting him ranting about DEI is basically an infomercial in your town, then maybe also try to put in a question that will discredit him some other way. Basically write the questions to play to the audience, not him per se.

[maudefindlay]

goldengirlz I live in a red state, but our city is diverse due to a company having their global headquarters here. The company is very supportive of the lgbtq community, racial equality, and women's rights. That said we have our share of Proud Boy types. The current School Board is probably a mixed bag. They did follow medical advice for Covid and have not caved on any of the book banning demands.

[devonpow]

Interestingly I was just reading this: www.npr.org/2022/09/26/1124082878/how-social-emotional-learning-became-a-frontline-in-the-battle-against-crt

I hadn’t realized social emotional learning was in any way becoming “controversial”. This is incredibly frustrating

[maudefindlay]

devonpow thank you for that link. That article hots the nail on the head of what I'm dealing with here. There was some great wording in there that is helpful to me.

[maudefindlay]

erbear great wording, that is very helpful to me. My head is thinking like you Patsy Baloney, but I know that will get filtered out. erbear your wording could get chosen and could really trip him up and expose his ass.

imimahoney I think you are right. I will ask for research to back up his claims. I know his statements are solely his uneducated, hate-filled opinions and I want him to have to admit it.

[glw]

For the DEIB part, I would ask something like, "can you cite research that shows supporting children who self-identify as part of a marginalized [or underrepresented or whatever language your school uses] group is harmful to them rather than helpful?"... and then I would be prepared to cite research that shows that it helps rather than hurts.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 26, 2022 11:39:05 GMT -5 glw said:

For the DEIB part, I would ask something like, "can you cite research that shows supporting children who self-identify as part of a marginalized [or underrepresented or whatever language your school uses] group is harmful to them rather than helpful?"... and then I would be prepared to cite research that shows that it helps rather than hurts.

I’d lead with the research in the original question, as there likely won’t be a forum for rebuttal in this type of meeting.

“You’re on record as saying XYZ, which [reputable, ideally not seen as left leaning source says does opposite ABC thing]. Can you explain your position and why you’ve aligned yourself with [racist/homophobic/transphobic think tank that is pushing the bullshit] and not with experts and educators on this topic?”

[maudefindlay]

seeyalater52 Correct, no rebuttal. We submit questions ahead of time and won't be interacting during the meeting.

[shopgirl07]

What an horrible human being, I hope he loses.

[Rainyday]

Sept 26, 2022 10:45:48 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Interestingly I was just reading this: www.npr.org/2022/09/26/1124082878/how-social-emotional-learning-became-a-frontline-in-the-battle-against-crt

I hadn’t realized social emotional learning was in any way becoming “controversial”. This is incredibly frustrating

Not to derail, but yes. Our SB meetings have a whole new group of moms that attend. They are "Moms for Liberty" and they like to ban books, oppose masks, oppose SEL etc.
All while wearing their MoL branded T shirts and $4000 handbags. They are a whole look. They only care about their own preshus children, not the whole district.

[erbear]

Sept 26, 2022 10:45:48 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Interestingly I was just reading this: www.npr.org/2022/09/26/1124082878/how-social-emotional-learning-became-a-frontline-in-the-battle-against-crt

I hadn’t realized social emotional learning was in any way becoming “controversial”. This is incredibly frustrating

"It will be concealed as a number of different things," another article published on the right-wing website The Federalist says. "Most common is something including 'social justice,' 'equity and diversity,' 'multicultural education,' or 'social-emotional learning,' which is the most deceptive because it doesn't sound like it involves race at all!"

So fucking short sighted and misleading.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 26, 2022 13:19:35 GMT -5 Rainyday said:

Sept 26, 2022 10:45:48 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Interestingly I was just reading this: www.npr.org/2022/09/26/1124082878/how-social-emotional-learning-became-a-frontline-in-the-battle-against-crt

I hadn’t realized social emotional learning was in any way becoming “controversial”. This is incredibly frustrating

Not to derail, but yes. Our SB meetings have a whole new group of moms that attend. They are "Moms for Liberty" and they like to ban books, oppose masks, oppose SEL etc.
All while wearing their MoL branded T shirts and $4000 handbags. They are a whole look. They only care about their own preshus children, not the whole district.

These people are absolutely evil.

[sandipluschris]

This thread is making me feel so validated. Our school district has been overrun by Purple for Parents and Moms for Liberty. A bunch of retirees show up every month and proceed to use the public comment period to trash our school board members and superintendent. We have one school board member who has a restraining order on another. It’s a nightmare. This season, United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell had an entire episode on school boards and highlighted ours. We have a candidate forum coming up and i plan to attend and am already forming my questions in my head. Most start with, “Because you’re such an asshole …”

[campermom]

You could also cite that the AAP, AACAP, and CHA all jointly declared a national emergency in childrens mental health

Get him to agree that yes mental health needs to be treated

Ask if he’s aware of the national recommendations of school counselors to kids, (1:250) and national recommendations of school psychs to kids (1:500)

Then I’d go here: www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-childrens-mental-health

[stephm0188]

Ask him his thoughts on Maslaw and Bloom.

I doubt he would even understand what they are or the connection to SEL.

[maudefindlay]

There are 4 seats open so people running for 2 of the spots have a Zoom tomorrow night and those going for the other 2 spots go Thursday. Luckily for each seat I have found 1 person who I want to vote in. I'm submitting questions to each of them that will give them a chance to shine in their responses. Hopefully highlighting the divide between them and their opponents.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Why is he the way he is? That’s my first question. Fuck this guy.

Ask him what the Civil War was about.

[maudefindlay]

Thanks everyone! I submitted 4 questions for the man noted alone including about his repeated comments at meetings this year related to banning books.

[maudefindlay]

The meeting with the guy I referenced is tomorrow night, but he went to this week's board meeting and asked where he can go to find a detailed listing of the budget and the financial director chuckled and said he'd be glad to email him the 12,000 line item (laughed because obviously no one wants that)...uhmm guy said great, he'd like a copy.

[maudefindlay]

Updated in OP

[shauni27]

oh man, I HATE him. And that he has a picture of himself on his truck?!?! lol, loser.

[gretchenindisguise]

Good on the moderator for holding him to answer.

[maudefindlay]

Final update in Op.

[seeyalater52]

Love this update!!!