Dear Editor,
For weeks now, Otis Powers' opponent for Place 3 on the board of the Brownsville Independent School District has had a free hand in the pages of the local newspaper. I thank the El Rrun-Rrun blog for giving me the chance to respond to set the record straight.
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1. He accuses Otis of “conspiring” to get the former BISD CFO to file a grievance. If you read the quote from his “documentation” you can see that the former administrator was asking him for advice on how to protect his job. He was his friend and an able administrator and Otis did. Friends do that.
2. He blames Otis for not firing a teacher who had been indicted for an inappropriate relationship with a high school student. I don’t know where he got his law degree, but obviously it was not it was at a law school that teaches that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The teacher in question had only been charged, not convicted. To fire someone and deprive them of a livelihood based upon a mere charge and not a conviction violates every legal standard in our constitution. He did say, after all, that he was a lawyer, did he not?
3. Even more serious is the fact that these discussions on these cases all took place in executive session. The discussions there require the utmost discretion for the protection of people’s privacy. For Otis to comment on the specifics of a case would expose him, and, more importantly, the district, to legal action by the accused. Phil knows this. As a result, he has sought political benefit that has amounted to him punching a man whose hands are tied.
4. Phil was on the BISD board when student transportation was shifted to a private carrier, Durham Bus Service. In 1992, bus drivers rebelled against the unfair labor practices, organized, and went out on strike. As many as 55 of them were fired because the board – instead of owning up to its responsibilities to labor – hid behind the contract with the private company and the drivers, our neighbors, paid the price. That was the origin of the labor troubles we have had with our bus drivers up to now. Thanks a lot Phil!
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Cowen hides behind simplistic and jingoistic slogans like “I’m BISD Proud!” Unlike him, Otis has worked over the years to make our district better and to have our students perform at higher levels and lets the results speak for themselves.
Our BISD was recognized in 2008 as the most improved school district in the United States and received the Board Award that gave our students $1 million in scholarships when he served as vice-president of the board.
And that same year our school board was recognized as the most efficient and effective board in the country and was awarded the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Award.
No amount of mudslinging can compare to that, Mr. Cowen. I know who I'm going to vote for, and it's not you.
For weeks now, Otis Powers' opponent for Place 3 on the board of the Brownsville Independent School District has had a free hand in the pages of the local newspaper. I thank the El Rrun-Rrun blog for giving me the chance to respond to set the record straight.
1. He accuses Otis of “conspiring” to get the former BISD CFO to file a grievance. If you read the quote from his “documentation” you can see that the former administrator was asking him for advice on how to protect his job. He was his friend and an able administrator and Otis did. Friends do that.2. He blames Otis for not firing a teacher who had been indicted for an inappropriate relationship with a high school student. I don’t know where he got his law degree, but obviously it was not it was at a law school that teaches that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The teacher in question had only been charged, not convicted. To fire someone and deprive them of a livelihood based upon a mere charge and not a conviction violates every legal standard in our constitution. He did say, after all, that he was a lawyer, did he not?
3. Even more serious is the fact that these discussions on these cases all took place in executive session. The discussions there require the utmost discretion for the protection of people’s privacy. For Otis to comment on the specifics of a case would expose him, and, more importantly, the district, to legal action by the accused. Phil knows this. As a result, he has sought political benefit that has amounted to him punching a man whose hands are tied.
4. Phil was on the BISD board when student transportation was shifted to a private carrier, Durham Bus Service. In 1992, bus drivers rebelled against the unfair labor practices, organized, and went out on strike. As many as 55 of them were fired because the board – instead of owning up to its responsibilities to labor – hid behind the contract with the private company and the drivers, our neighbors, paid the price. That was the origin of the labor troubles we have had with our bus drivers up to now. Thanks a lot Phil!
Cowen hides behind simplistic and jingoistic slogans like “I’m BISD Proud!” Unlike him, Otis has worked over the years to make our district better and to have our students perform at higher levels and lets the results speak for themselves.Our BISD was recognized in 2008 as the most improved school district in the United States and received the Board Award that gave our students $1 million in scholarships when he served as vice-president of the board.
And that same year our school board was recognized as the most efficient and effective board in the country and was awarded the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Award.
No amount of mudslinging can compare to that, Mr. Cowen. I know who I'm going to vote for, and it's not you.