Don't let 'fox' into school's chicken coop

Don't let 'fox' into school's chicken coop

School boards control everything that happens in school districts [“Politics’ effect on school board elections,” News, May 9]. They approve or reject negotiated labor contracts; hire and fire the only non-tenure-eligible employee (the superintendent); control all fiduciary matters; hire all employees; and decide which curricula are taught and which books are read.

I retired in 2010 after 36 years as a teacher in the Sachem Central School District. From 1992-2001, I was the Sachem Central Teachers' Association president.

As SCTA president, I sat on the union’s political endorsement committee interviewing Sachem school board candidates who sought our support. We asked their reasons for running, if they had school-age children and educational philosophies. Never did we query their political or religious leanings. They knew our endorsement would be helpful to them with monetary support for mailings and flyers during their campaigns. Never once did we posit or suggest a quid pro quo of endorsement for favors in negotiations, hirings, firings, etc. Our endorsement opened invaluably positive lines of communication. We helped many admirable, honest, caring candidates get elected. Sure, some eventually turned on us (and the district), but at least we had their ears during both amicable and contentious times.

The circus we are seeing in next week's board elections is a "fox" of a completely different color. It's not about caring, compassion and apolitical service to public education. The choice has become blue vs. red, Biden vs. Trump, LBGTQ rights vs. homophobia, academic freedom vs. censorship, and the list goes on.

Voters should research biographies, talk to neighbors, and scour Google, the internet and Facebook. Vet these people before casting your vote. Do not let the fox into the chicken coop -- because this year, the foxes are running wild.

Thomas Brischler, Miller Place