What I did not know is that to a few people, disagreeing with a 'candidate' is a license to become insulting, hateful, and even vindictive. Those who read the Glendale News Press and Foothill Leader are familiar with my views and stand on education issues. I have long advocated the need for school renovation and construction to maintain quality instruction, meet student growth, and provide a proper learning environment for our children. My writings ruffled the feathers of the establishment and my comments to audiences during the campaign did not smooth matters much. Speaking out on what I considered professional issues was viewed by a few people as a betrayal of the district.
Nothing is further from the truth.
Now, that I am part of the establishment as a member of the Glendale school board, I can no longer enjoy the luxury of an independent outsider trying to look in and influence issues and events. As a board member and decision maker, my role reversal has shed a new light on the awesome responsibility and new perspective with which I must view the district and its issues and problems. The fundamental criteria in any decision is to insure that the best interest of students is preserved. Resolving difficult issues and making numerous decisions are central to my duties and responsibilities. And dealing with conflicting issues makes the task even more daunting.