Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Today’s Survey Question

Should persons drawing a Board of Education pension be permitted to serve on a local or state school board?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

No. Conflict of interest. Is same as congress voting for a raise. It shouldn't happen. Should be left up to the people they work for.

Anonymous said...

No, that would seem to me to be a conflict of interest.

kts said...

no.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely not. Tainted opinion on board's business.

Anonymous said...

No conflict of interest!

Anonymous said...

Of course. Who better than a former educator knows about how schools and the educational system work. Ron Willey, for example, who is as honest as the day is long, is a very experienced former teacher and administrator. He is a true "kids' advocate," but he also can keep an eye on the budget. The question seems to imply that former educators cannot be unbiased when serving on the BOE. I am also a former educator but also a fiscal conservative. (And, no, that's not an oxymoron).

Anonymous said...

Please first clarify whether either the local board or the state board of education has anything to do with determining pensioner eligiblity, or pension benefits. If the answere to either question is yes, then no, they should not serve. If the answer to either question is no, then, yes they could serve.

Anonymous said...

As long as they give up their retirement......ya right.....back to NFW!

Anonymous said...

No. A big conflict of interest. Same with holding a public office and getting a full time paycheck from the BOE.

Anonymous said...

No, Agree it's conflict of interest!!

Anonymous said...

NO!
11:53 - Ron Willey lobbied hard to get the BOE to pay more for health benefits for retirees. He also participated on the committees that planned it. He was prejudiced from the start. Even though he didn't vote he and his BOE wife benefitted directly. If he is "honest as the day is long", he should have avoided any discussion on this. Is this ok with you? Favored employees already get their own families hired way too often and retirees come back for rehire all the time. What about Allen Brown, Bill Cain, Tom Field, Jan Conway and there are plenty more.

Anonymous said...

Not a problem, they obviously would have an upper hand on the issues facing education today. As far as conflict of interest, that would be easily solved by requiring they not vote on an issue that could directly benefit them monetarily.

Anonymous said...

11:57 - Local Board. They determine the percentage of what the BOE pays for health insurance, what age and years of service to qualify etc.
Definite conflict of interest!

Anonymous said...

NO,NO,NO.......

Anonymous said...

no mr. double dipper

G. A. Harrison said...

Anon 1153 -

I don't know Mr. Willey. I only witnessed his melt down the other day and his performance on the school board. I have not seen any evidence that "he's keeping an eye on the budget", at least if that means looking out for the taxpayer.

One thing is clear. He resents the hell out of the BOE having to provide information to the Wicomico County Council.

Anonymous said...

NO.
11:53 I think you have the wrong Ron willey. Honest as the day is long, yea right. I have never seen him be a "kids Advocate". You must have the wrong person, he only looks out for himself. I know him very well, too well.

Anonymous said...

As the governor. Apparently nothing wrong with it since he appointed him. Even with elected school boards, this is possible. Don't see anything wrong with it.

Unknown said...

NO!!

Anonymous said...

How about a former president of the Board who opposed a rewrite of the Board ethics policy because this person was seeking employment as soon as her/his term as president ended? The policy was not changed. A cushy position was created for the person and she/he was to start work as soon as she/he left the Board. Too bad the person hadn't completed her/his degree requirements. You can imagine how often this person opposed Dr. F. during her/his term. How about never?