It should be an interesting fall for the Fayette County Board of Education with two of its members facing opponents who are likely to muster significant support.In District 2, appointed Board member Kirk Tinsley will face off against two opponents, and that fact may be Tinsley's biggest asset by helping split opposition votes. Tinsley, 55, was appointed to the school board in late 2008 to complete an unexpired term. Tinsley is a quality control inspector at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown and served on the Bryan Station Middle School Council.
Tinsley will face Thomas Duncan Jr. and Douglas Barnett. Jim Warren reports in today's Herald-Leader that Barnett, 34, is a lawyer, and was among parents who criticized the school district's handling of redistricting last winter. He has commented on that issue and other issues at KSN&C. Duncan, 47, was an unsuccessful candidate for the school board in 2006.
The more interesting race may well be in District 4 where incumbent Amanda Ferguson will face off with prominent Lexington Realtor Rick Queen.Ferguson was elected to the school board in 2006 when she prevalied over a field of four, including me - a fact that my wife remains grateful for.
Ferguson reported spending $5,675 in that race, much of it apparently garnered through connections within the Lexington Rotary where her mother is long-time Executive Director, Nell Main. The Rotary boasts approximately 375 members.
Rick Queen, 50, is a parent who has served on site-based councils at Cassidy School (during my tenure) and Henry Clay High School (and, I think, Morton Middle School as well) along with a few FCPS district committees. KSN&C hears that his candidacy is being supported by some pretty influential Fayette County and state public school advocates.Voting takes place on November 2nd. This one ought to be interesting.
Candidates are invited to send a digital photo and an article on their candidacy (not exceeding 1,000 words) to reday000@aol.com for inclusion in KSN&C.
6 comments:
What difference does it make that Rick Queen is a "prominent" realtor. This tidbit has little to do with Queen's qualifications as a prospective board member.
I can say this with certainty. Queen, a Republican, will do little to challenge the status quo at Central Office. Amnada Ferguson has done just that. I would not even by surprised if Silberman approached Queen about challenging Ferguson. Stu Silberman will continue to rule unquestioned if Queen is elected.
And where is the H-L story by Jim Warren on dissent at Central Office? We are still waiting for the facts on Petrelli, Ernst, and the lawyer whose contract was not renewed.
Ahhh. I can see my commentary was unclear. Let me more specific.
I'm counting votes in my head, that's all. Trying to predict the nature of the race and who might win.
And you are correct, I didn't dealve much into anyone's qualifications, but I'm happy to do so once I've studied up.
The significance of Queen's prominence lies in the number of influential people who know him and may be sufficiently encouraged by his candidacy to contribute money. That may ofset the significant support Ferguson apparently got the last time around and may get yet again.
It is particularly unfortunate that you are posting anomymously since you want KSN&C readers to believe in your "certainty."
Beyond that, if you are looking for someone to overthrow Stu, I believe you will be sorely disappointed no matter who prevails.
I don't know, but as a Democrat, it bothers me not at all that Queen may be a registered Republican. I hope you are not suggesting that all Republicans should, or do, attend private schools. Queen's a strong supporter of the public schools, his chidren attended pubiic schools, and I know he will question, and try to make them better. And I know it first hand, over many years. I wish every parent involved themselves as much.
While I have know her less well, and for less time, Ferguson also impresses me as one who wants to make the district better.
The "status quo" teachers are most concerned about is changing as we speak. The commissioner is supporting multiple measures of teacher evaluation and there is a new (and my students tell me, clearer) curriculum and a new assessment on the horizon. That will drive district change in the foreseeable future.
I know who approached Queen; it was not Silberman.
...and the story on the outsourcing of legal services was apparently spiked at H-L. Petilli is under appeal, Ernst is gone.
Ahhh. I can see my commentary was unclear. Let me more specific.
I'm counting votes in my head, that's all. Trying to predict the nature of the race and who might win.
And you are correct, I didn't dealve much into anyone's qualifications, but I'm happy to do so once I've studied up.
The significance of Queen's prominence lies in the number of influential people who know him and may be sufficiently encouraged by his candidacy to contribute money. That may ofset the significant support Ferguson apparently got the last time around and may get yet again.
It is particularly unfortunate that you are posting anomymously since you want KSN&C readers to believe in your "certainty."
Beyond that, if you are looking for someone to overthrow Stu, I believe you will be sorely disappointed no matter who prevails.
I don't know, but as a Democrat, it bothers me not at all that Queen may be a registered Republican. I hope you are not suggesting that all Republicans should, or do, attend private schools. Queen's a strong supporter of the public schools, his chidren attended pubiic schools, and I know he will question, and try to make them better. And I know it first hand, over many years. I wish every parent involved themselves as much.
While I have know her less well, and for less time, Ferguson also impresses me as one who wants to make the district better.
The "status quo" teachers are most concerned about is changing as we speak. The commissioner is supporting multiple measures of teacher evaluation and there is a new (and my students tell me, clearer) curriculum and a new assessment on the horizon. That will drive district change in the foreseeable future.
I know who approached Queen; it was not Silberman.
...and the story on the outsourcing of legal services was apparently spiked at H-L. Petilli is under appeal, Ernst is gone.
Richard,
Question for you: Are you saying that you think that Tinsley will really benefit from a three horse field? I'm not so sure about that for a couple of reasons.
First, if people vote solely on race (and some will), it seems to me that Tinsley and Duncan, as African-Americans, will split that demographic. Barnett will probably do pretty well in some of the neighborhoods caught up in the redistricting, such as Coldstream, Highlands, Coventry, Konner Woods, etc. I walked through Coldstream during their yard sale last month and heard a lot of grumbling from residents about this being the last year for their kids at Sandersville. If redistricting is an issue (and it could be for those and other neighborhoods such as McConnell Springs and Marehaven due to overcrowding at Meadowthorpe. Something tells me those folks aren't going to like being sent to Cardinal Valley), Barnett would probably figure to obtain a bunch of support.
Second, the major center of population of that district has shifted from the north end of the district (Bryan Station area) to the Masterson Station/Georgetown Road area. That has to figure to be in Barnett's favor.
Third, fundraising could play a role. I've heard that Barnett has raised over $2,000.00 in 2 weeks. Additionally, he's a lawyer so he's probably got some friends in the field who could donate to the cause. That could play a huge factor.
Fourth, what skeletons are in the closets? I've heard Tinsley could have something pretty substantial in his. I don't know about the other two.
Fifth, what behind the scenes role will Central Office take with Tinsely? I've heard Barnett ruffled quite a few feathers down there in Fberuary/March and he may not be on Stu's Christmas Card list. From what I could tell at the February forum, I don't think he's on Jack Hayes' either. Stu and Jack could see Barnett as another Amanda Ferguson...or worse!
Sixth, the impact of public forums with the candidates. While I haven't heard Duncan speak, I have heard both Barnett and Tinsley. Tinsley could have his hands full here.
I don't know how all of this will play out. I think this one could be really close. I think Tinsely's probably the leader at this point, but Barnett's got a legitimate chance. I don't see Duncan as much of a player other than to take votes away from Tinsley.
As you know, those of us who post anonymously usually have one thing in common: we are employed by Stu Silberman. There was a time when we were once employed by Fayette County Public Schools, however.
It is unfortunate that the story on outsourcing was spiked by the H-L? Why do they attack Newberry and pay "lip service" to Silberman?
An overthrow of Silberman? Hardly,most of us in the schools simply want the public to know the truth about the man and his methods. We are learning about how things function at City Hall, but the veil of secrecy at Central Office continues.
Interested voter:
You raise some very good points. I typically count the incumbent with an advantage, absent some kind of publicly known problem or more generalized anti-incumbency movement. ...subtract points if the incumbent was appointed rather than elected. I don't think the tea party will reach into a school board race except that it may turn out some folks.
As for skeletons...I'll look into that a little closer to November. And central office influence over Board elections always seemed pretty minimal to me in large cities.
I know so little about Duncan, I was unaware of his race which can certainly be a factor. That could very well change the nature of the "split" and play in Barnett's favor. Add to that substantial public disapproval with the redistricting, the ability to raise funds...and voila.
Anonymous: I take your point. I'm only suggesting that readers may be (and should be) suspicious of unknown sources speaking with authority, as a general rule. I share your disappointment that H-L ignored the legal outsourcing story. I can't explain how the paper chooses which stories to pursue.
Thanks for the comments.
Post a Comment