Schoolboard Appoointment?

[Jim O'Bryan]

So now that Lakewood Schools are losing one of the biggest supporters Chas. Geiger, who will get appointed?

The reason I ask is that there have been many fires smoldering the past couple months about another board member stepping down, and possibly appointing someone who could then run as an incumbent, or having that person run, and then step down and appoint a person that would seem some do not think can get elected in a straight vote.

So who is it?

and

What is the process?


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[Missy Limkemann]

See these are the days that I wish I had the "bakground" to run for school boards. Having a special needs child, and dealing with what they go thru I think would bring a great asset to help implement programs, help others understand the importance of these programs and fight for these kids.

[Jim DeVito]

See these are the days that I wish I had the "bakground" to run for school boards. Having a special needs child, and dealing with what they go thru I think would bring a great asset to help implement programs, help others understand the importance of these programs and fight for these kids.

Everybody starts somewhere

[Stan Austin]

Missy--- Jim DeVito is correct. Everybody starts somewhere. Just because you don't think you fit the "model" of a school board member doesn't mean you should take yourself out of consideration.
I have found that in many campaigns in Lakewood that a simple, straightforward explanation of who you are, and why you seek a position are just as successful as many other campaign approaches.

What you have just described as your interest and specialty has already got my attention!!!!!

Go for it!!!!!!

Stan Austin

[Jim O'Bryan]

All

I spoke with the School Board Vice President Ed Favre this morning. He informed me that the protocol for this is a public call for people interested.
Then the School Board would pick one, and that person would then have to
run in the fall election. Who gets elected to that seat would then serve out
the remaining 3 years of Chas. Geiger's term.

FWIW


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[Jim O'Bryan]

Who gets elected to that seat would then serve out
the remaining 3 years of Chas. Geiger's term.

I was just informed by Mr. Geiger that it would be for the remaining period of his year term, or 2 years.

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[Corey Rossen]

If they promised not to do a background check or check references, I'd throw my hat in the ring.

Corey

[Missy Limkemann]

If they did a background check on me they would die of laughter because it would honestly say "the most boring person in the world."

[dl meckes]

I am very concerned about this sudden resignation and can only hope that there isn't a disastrous health problem that faces Mr. Geiger or his family.

I can really think of nothing else that would explain such a sudden departure of a recently re-elected official. I don't believe there is any malfeasance, that cannot be an answer.

I haven't heard Mr. Geiger going on record to strongly oppose anything, so this must not be a protest resignation.

I must admit that I am terribly concerned about an appointment that would last two years because of the subversion of the election process. It means that there's a process to pick Mr. Geiger's successor in which the public cannot participate.

The money that the schools receive is the majority of of my tax dollars.

This is a very serious situation and it greatly concerns me.

[stephen davis]

I am very concerned about this sudden resignation and can only hope that there isn't a disastrous health problem that faces Mr. Geiger or his family.

I saw Chas today. He assured me that he and his family are all in good health. I'm not a doctor, but he certainly appeared to be healthy.

I must admit that I am terribly concerned about an appointment that would last two years because of the subversion of the election process. It means that there's a process to pick Mr. Geiger's successor in which the public cannot participate.

This happens often, and in many branches of government. It's just another thing to consider when you vote for someone. Who might THEY appoint to an empty seat?

Representative government has to work this way sometimes. Voters elect those that make appointments. It does not subvert the election process.

This is a very serious situation and it greatly concerns me.

Chill. It's not like Chas is the only one with the nuclear launch codes.


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[Justine Cooper]

I am very concerned about this sudden resignation and can only hope that there isn't a disastrous health problem that faces Mr. Geiger or his family.

I can really think of nothing else that would explain such a sudden departure of a recently re-elected official. I don't believe there is any malfeasance, that cannot be an answer.

I haven't heard Mr. Geiger going on record to strongly oppose anything, so this must not be a protest resignation.

I must admit that I am terribly concerned about an appointment that would last two years because of the subversion of the election process. It means that there's a process to pick Mr. Geiger's successor in which the public cannot participate.

The money that the schools receive is the majority of of my tax dollars.

This is a very serious situation and it greatly concerns me.

From conversations it sounds like many, many people in Lakewood share your concern DL, about someone being chosen by the board with no public input. I know the group of concerned parents will continue to grow and my guess will be they will be showing up at those meetings in bigger numbers so I would hope whomever is appointed is in ALL the taxpayer's best interest. Someone like the newest member Matt M. who truly cares about parents' concerns would be another blessing.

[Jim O'Bryan]

A couple things, and I will post it here as well.

I too hate when appointments take voters out of play. It then become an
aristocracy not a democratic form of government.

That said, the School Board announcement yesterday underlines the
appointment would be until the November election. Then the candidate
along with others would need to run for re-election, but only for the
remainder of Chas Geiger's term.

I would think this is to stave off the added cost of a special election.

Current board members appointed are:
Ed Favre
Chas Geiger - that's right.

What I would hope is that this is the time the city turns away from
clandestine meetings, and those that hold them in public office.

The School Board has being moving towards the light of day, and sunshine. One of the first and most vocal backers of this is Ed Favre. In early conversations with Ed, he realized that after giving the Board the ability
to build new schools, it is a time to being the residents in as partners in the process.

Matt Markling, whose career is defending schools from lawsuits, has also now championed the cause, and is taking it even further with his candid posts on the Observation Deck, something other board members have felt either too busy or beneath them. Recently Betsey and Linda have been seen
lurking about and one would hope getting ready to join the discussion.

To me this is the key, the days of hallways, back room meetings must be gone.

At City Hall, our new Mayor has also opened the door wider than ever before, and I would say all of his staff, is more than willing to jump in
and discuss topics. Nate Kelley, Jen Pae, and the Mayor himself can often be seen correcting misconceptions, or joining the discussion. Every department has been posting directly to the front page, in news releases.

It would be nice if council, also decided to actively and publicly discuss many of the city issues. I mean, as has often been pointed out, the LO is the best barometer for Lakewood. Might as well know how your constituents feel before shoving something down our throats.

This is all very good for the city.


FWIW



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[Danielle Masters]

I too am a bit concerned about all this, it was so sudden and from what I have heard without warning. I do hope though that with increased pressure from community and parents the school board is hopefully realizing that they are under scrutiny and things are not as they have been in the past.

[stephen davis]

I know the group of concerned parents will continue to grow and my guess will be they will be showing up at those meetings in bigger numbers so I would hope whomever is appointed is in ALL the taxpayer's best interest.

I think that those "concerned parents" should enter their names as candidates for the open seat. If they don't get appointed, they should run in the next School Board election.

If you talk to Chas Geiger, and probably the other long time members of the board, they will tell you that they welcome serious and committed candidates from the community for those positions. They know that they are only temporary stewards.

It's not an easy job, the hours can be long, and the pay is almost nothing. The rewards for community service are hard to measure. I applaud everyone that seriously steps up with Lakewood in their mind and heart.

Those of us that got involved in the schools decades ago are old enough to be a little distanced from the schools, so again, I challenge those "concerned parents" to make the generational change and run for election.

BTW, running, and not winning, is okay too. Even election losers add to the dialogue.

Don't whine. Take ownership. Be involved.

[Danielle Masters]

I think you can be involved without being on the school board. I know that at this point in my life with 5 relatively young children I do not have the time to devote to the school board and I know many other parents who are in the same boat as me. Many of us attend meetings, hold positions or are active members of the PTA, volunteer in the schools and some of us have even come together to create a new advocacy group. I don't think that by acknowledging that we just simply can't hold a school board position at this stage in our lives makes us less worthy to speak up. I do hope though that there are members of this community who at this point in their lives do have the time necessary to devote 110% of their time to a school board position do run. And I hope that as parents we continue to be actively involved in the schools to the capacity that we can while still taking care of our families and other obligations. I know many mothers that hire sitters so that they can go to board meetings, that is devotion.