Susan Hartley and John Witt are amazing. I don’t even know them, and since 95% of FR readers don’t hail from San Diego County, you probably don’t either. As a matter of fact, if you are from San Diego, you might not know that these are two GOP members of the County Board of Education. That said, they have, at best, betrayed their own political party by voting with a Democrat colleague to install a Democrat onto the County Board of Education. At worst, they may have violated state law in doing so… Let me explain…
I received a phone call last night from San Diego FR correspondent Barry Jantz just before 6 p.m. saying that current La Mesa-Spring Valley School Trustee Sharon Jones would be appointed to the vacancy on the San Diego County Board of Education. (As you know, Jantz has been covering the vacancy created by Ernie Dronenburg’s resignation extensively on the FR.) He indicated that the vote would be 3-1, that Bob Watkins would be in the minority, and that if he were wrong, he would eat his hat, take a photo of him doing so, and post it here.
About an hour and a half later, at approximately 7:35 p.m., the Board of Ed voted 3-1 with Watkins dissenting, to appoint Democrat Jones. Republicans Hartley and Witt joined with Democrat Nick Aguilar to make the appointment, just as Jantz said they would.
I should point out that Barry said that Jones is a very nice person, respected in the community, with a lot of passion for and commitment to public education, regardless of any partisanship or philosophy. I would say that Sharon Jones is not the point here, the board majority is.
I will repeat what I wrote when I posted the U-T story on the Jones appointment this morning: “SHAME on the GOP majority on this school board. Remember, there is no such thing as a non-partisan office.” Apparently, both Witt and Hartley have requested the County GOP’s endorsement in the past, and Witt is a regular at County Party events. So much for any loyalty, especially when there were very qualified Republican applicants for the seat. I hope Ron Nehring and the local Party take whatever action is necessary to ensure these so-called Republicans are remembered for their loyalty.
But, aside from my upset because of a Republican loss, there is also a very blatant smacking of hidden back room deals here, those outside the eyes of the public, the very mentality that Barry has been in a tizzy about for the last few weeks on these pages. The kind that EVERY elected official, regardless of Party, should oppose. The kind that EVERY public agency, regardless of bureaucracy, should be cautioning their board members against. Ultimately, the kind that is illegal.
Although Jantz will not provide details or name names, he did indicate that he knew of the outcome in advance, because someone involved with the County Office of Ed had provided information regarding the board majority reaching a consensus in advance of the meeting. In advance of the 11 candidates that had applied being interviewed in the scheduled public meeting.
Can anyone say Brown Act violation?
Aside from any political response from the GOP on this (like drafting some challengers to these RINOs – Republicans In Name Only), the significant question is this: Is anyone in San Diego going to do anything about the board majority coming to a decision outside the legal, public setting, a clear violation of the law? If anyone does take action, I see some hand slaps coming.
Barry, you must be disappointed. Given the attention you put on this, you would think a GOP majority would do the right thing – especially when everyone is looking…