It sounded so promising.
When Charleston's Coalition for Kids announced its plans last July, its powerful, wealthy, and politically-connected members promised to bring serious change to the Charleston County School Board. Its director Josh Bell promised the purpose of the group was to "enact real, transformative change in the Charleston County School District." Former principal Liz Alston promised to look for "more members who have experience as educators" who are knowledgeable about our schools.
Then in the fall, the Coalition endorsed the incumbent Board members running for reelection.
The Coalition's early support of using standardized test scores to evaluate teachers should have been a warning that the group formed to (a) support Gerrida Postlewait; and (b) continue business as before.
In hindsight, former Board member Chris Fraser's remarks bear repetition: “'By its very nature we have people in the room that are not cohesive, if you will, with moving the ball forward.'” You see, Fraser wishes the Board to cohere, if you will, to whatever the superintendent desires, with little blow-back. That was his goal when a member not so long ago. Fraser wants people who think like he does. His worst nightmare would be actual experienced educators from the district such as Paul Padron and Jake Rambo, who might know enough about what really goes on.
The Coalition for Kids stomped all over the opposition with its deep pockets. In fact, more money was spent on re-electing the incumbents than has ever been spent on a CCSD school board election before. I'd like to think that some of those who signed on to its initial mission have become disillusioned, but they're not talking.
We can expect this gorilla to throw its weight around during the next round of school board elections as well. How can single candidates ever prevail against this "deep state" money machine?
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