In my last posting I wrote of my in attending a Bethlehem Area School Board meeting in an attempt to help save Broughal School. By the time I had taken my story to the top of several flights of steps, which I had to haul myself up because of my disability, I had run out of finger power. I now continue.
Although the board seemed in some anguish that I had had to make such a heroic effort to get there--I have a feeling there was anxiety that I might report the lack of accessibility--they lost no time in telling me I was too late to do anything about the Broughal situation. Another couple of people spoke up in favor of saving the d old school, but they seemed to be trembling almost as much as I had done when I had first addressed the school board years ago.
And indeed, in this case I could see why they felt intimidated. There was a slick, well-oiled, pre-planned aura about this meeting that I did not like at all. My feeling was borne out when the board got to the really big item on the evening's agenda--the filling of a board vacancy.
Several people pleaded with passion for the chance to serve the public by serving on the board. I do not know them well enough to know whether one or more of them might have been good. I now know, however, that they and their supporters were wasting their breath; the matter had all been decided beforehand. I know this because the board members left the room, deliberated briefly, and upon their return announced THE WINNER. He was a once and future colleague of theirs who had been rejected at the polls by voters of both parties. And now he was back,resurrected and refreshed.
And they wonder why some citizens reject the whole idea of voting. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this man. What I AM pointing out is that the voters had already indicated they did not want him. That should have been enough.
Oh, yes, I almost forgot about the lunch. Somewhere in the course of the proceedings the board paused to have a light lunch, while the citizenry stood or sat around, uninvited to the repast and twiddling their thumbs while they waited.
Even if, as I suppose, board members paid for this little meal themselves, it was in the worst possible form. If they wish to socialize with each other, fine. But before or after the meeting, please--not because the citizens in attendance are hungry or wish to be invited, but because they would like to wrap up the meeting and go home.
So ends my tale of a very unpleasant public meeting. In my next posting I hope to ask new questions about the fate of Broughal School. At the very least, I hope to introduce some factors which the average citizen does not yet know. Perhaps we may yet turn the tide for the good of all--taxpayers, school children, and educators.