Does anybody really care?

Does anybody care that the Governor and the administration of the state are spending thousands of dollars to tell you who you should vote for in the second primary BESE races including using smear tactics?

Does anyone care that the TEACH for America Organization was awarded one million dollars when qualified and certified teachers are being laid off and state public schools are suffering money shortages due to many

unfunded mandates?

Does anybody care that the incumbent candidate for BESE District 6 from Baton Rouge is still allowed to vote on and participate in issues concerning Charter Schools when his sister is the Executive Director of the Charter School system? Does anybody care that his qualifications are listed as being a “business man.” Where his opponent has a life time history of being an outstanding teacher, administrator, and superintendent?

Does anybody care that the mayor of New York city, Michael Bloomberg signed a personal check for $5000 to aid the challenger to District 2 incumbent Louiella Givens as well as another check for $100,000 to the ABC PAC, organized by business man Lane Gresby who has vowed to do whatever it takes to make sure that the next superintendent will not come for Louisiana by supporting John White, a young man from New York, who is a teacher for America Aumnus and has a degree in English and would not be certified to teach in an elementary school in Louisiana much less be a superintendent?

Does anybody care about in the fist primary there was no apparent choice for the District 8 seat by Grigsby and the administration until a relative unknown, Dr. Jim Guillory, with a strong position and knowledge of what to do to get education back on track, made it to second. Now they back his opponent and plan to send thousands to make sure he doesn’t win no matter that his opponents has no education qualifications. Finally, does anybody care that never in the history of BESE elections has so much money been raised from sources outside the state of Louisiana to support candidates endorsed by the alliance for better classrooms, TEACH for America, CALBL, LABI, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, most of them associated with

business and industry?

Why? Please think real hard before you vote. Do your “homework” and study the candidates and their qualifications and vote on November 19.

Lee Meyer

111 Elmfield Drive

Napoleonville, Louisiana, Education Consultant.

Member of the Assumption Parish School Board and the Alliance for Louisiana Public Education.