Letter: Keep the board apolitical

I am writing this letter as I am concerned with the Carlisle School District board election on Nov. 7. The Carlisle School District school board members have been apolitical for over a generation. There have been policy differences, but all the board members have attempted to put children first, have respected and encouraged very competent and caring teachers and support staff, and supported excellent administrators led by the superintendent, Dr. Colleen Friend (I was very fortunate to mentor Dr. Friend as part of a state program for new administrators). There are four incumbent board members, Paula Bussard, Bruce Clash, Jon Tarrant, George Stroud and candidate Dr. Joe Shane. They are running for the board as Citizens for Carlisle Schools. They intend to keep the school board apolitical, keep children and parents in the forefront and keep the respect and support for all teachers, support staff and administrators, as had been done for generations.

This year, for the first time, there is an opposition slate of four board candidates who are ideologically driven with very significant financial and dogmatic input from the regional chapter of Moms for Liberty whose headquarters are in Florida. Moms for Liberty champion an “anti-woke” and white-first approach to teaching American history. They are intolerant of any approach to education other than what they espouse. It appears that they are also supported financially by a white nationalist PAC.

It is vital that community members continue to advocate for true local control and keep the respect for quality teachers, administrators and support staff and, most important, provide the best possible education for all children. Vote for Paula Bussard, Bruce Clash, Jon Tarrant, George Stroud and Joe Shane.

Win Cleland

Retired West Perry Superintendent, Carlisle Assistant Superintendent

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