EDMOND —
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
In the past five years or so, there has been a distinct divide in philosophies by board members about how they should conduct themselves and how active a role they should take in representing their constituents.
One philosophy views that the district’s administrative team is superior and the board should stay out of their way and let them run the district with broad oversight guidance from the board. It’s a philosophy based on trust and confidence. The competing philosophy is one that prefers more of a watchdog, oversight role by the board and more active participation in the district, particularly in hearing concerns from patrons. These board members have viewed their role as one of good stewardship by strengthening checks and balances and by asking plenty of questions.
The recently approved gift policy outlining limits on gifts made to those in leadership positions over contract and vendor decisions is a good example of how the board is planning ahead to prevent potential problems instead of waiting to react to one if it should ever occur in the district. We would point out there are no known graft cases within our local school district thankfully, and the gift policy should help keep it that way.
Kathleen Duncan, the two-term incumbent, and Steven F. Roy, running for office for the first time, have each staked out their positions on the role of the Board of Education. Their views differ in how they will approach accomplishing the board’s work in the next five years.
We strongly encourage all voters in Edmond District 2 to educate themselves on Duncan’s record as a board member and Roy’s stated goals if he is elected. Then decide what type of leadership you truly want in charge of Edmond Public Schools. It’s your school district and your voice matters in how it’s led.
Only residents of District 2, centered in north and west Edmond, are eligible to vote in Tuesday’s election.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Our View
OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
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Be Edmond needs your help
BMX star and local legend Mat Hoffman knows what’s it like to fall from great heights and find yourself at one of the worst low points in life. He also knows how to climb back up and tackle life’s problems head on.
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OUR VIEW: Be Edmond needs your help
BMX star and local legend Mat Hoffman knows what’s it like to fall from great heights and find yourself at one of the worst low points in life. He also knows how to climb back up and tackle life’s problems head on.
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OUR VIEW: OKPOP — great idea, bad timing
The Route 66 museum in Clinton has been such a success that Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, said the turnaround project proves that popular culture is a best-seller when it comes to museum projects. It also proved that when a community gets behind a project and raises the funds to launch it, they all can reap the rewards of the increased tourism and recognition.
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OUR VIEW: Choice is clear
This Tuesday, Edmond residents are asked to go to the polls to choose between incumbent Mayor Charles Lamb and Richard Prawdzienski for the office of mayor. Voters citywide also will be asked to consider whether to retain Nick Massey as its Ward 4 councilmember or select newcomer Shilpa Abbitt, an engineer employed by Devon Energy in Oklahoma City.
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OUR VIEW: Line-item budgets should return
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OUR VIEW: Economic development plan deserves consideration
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OUR VIEW: Doing the right thing
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Senate swore in their newly elected and re-elected members in preparation of the 2013 legislative session. It was a moment for those elected to public office to savor their success, share their victory with family and friends who came to watch the ceremonies and be cordial with their new colleagues.
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OUR VIEW: Lankford, Jolley, McDaniel get our vote
Few times in American history have we seen people divided so politically as we have during this election cycle. The partisan gridlock of Congress and the relentless sniping of presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle are more than just fodder for late-night comedy.
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OUR VIEW: Say yes to SQ 766
State Question 766 poses one of the most drastic questions for voters to consider in state history. The language of this state question requires voters to say either yes, they don’t want a tax increase, or no, they do want one.
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Be Edmond needs your help
