A runoff election for Place 4 on the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees will happen on June 15 (early voting June 3-11 at Richardson Civic Center). The runoff is between incumbent Lanet Greenhaw and Rachel Chumney. I endorsed Lanet Greenhaw in the joint election on May 11. I endorse her again in the runoff. The question above is one reason why.Rachel Chumney: For the past ten and a half years I've been a mom and I think that this has been the best preparation for this.
Source: RichardsonISDVideo (starting 2:28).
Rachel Chumney is not the only mom in the race. She is, however, the only mom with little other experience and no RISD-wide experience. If you think that school board trustee is maybe not the place to start for someone who has never served as a PTA officer, member of an RISD council or committee for budget review, bond program development, calendar selection, textbook adoption, etc., then you might want to look beyond Rachel Chumney for a better candidate.
Look, Rachel Chumney is a nice enough person. She's just not qualified for school board. Don't rely just on the quote I found telling. Listen to Chumney's whole answer (starting 2:28). Then, compare with Lanet Greenhaw's answer (starting 1:24). No contest. Vote for Greenhaw.
- The Dallas Morning News VOTER GUIDE
- League of Women Voters of Richardson VOTERS GUIDE
See also:
- That Other Election: RISD Place 4
- Experience with Racial or Religious Minorities
- Technology in our Schools
- Attendance at School Board Meetings
- 6th Grade: Elementary School or Middle School?
- Advocacy for Public Schools
- Managing RISD's $250 Million Budget
4 comments:
Dear Rachel Chumney:
I want to thank you. THANK YOU, from every parent that has struggled with a child that has a learning difference and wondered why it was so hard to figure it out. Thank you for believeing in your children (and ours) enough to know that just because they may "learn differently", they are NOT stupid or lazy. Thank you for being strong enough, and determined enough (and maybe just a little naive enough), to take on the "Institution" of government/ education, simply because you believe that you can make a difference, even if you're not exactly sure how you're going to do it. But thank for being willing to try, instead of just complaining about it.
I just wanted you to know that you HAVE made a difference, no matter the outcome. And that we really do appreciate it, not only for the message that you are helping spread (that our children are worth it) and the example that you showing/ setting (that even things that may seem helpless or un-over-comeable deserve the effort), but for being willing to stand up and speak for those that often have been made to feel they are not worth the effort. EVERY child is worth the effort, and the funny thing is that these children will often be the ones that surprise everyone else in the end.
"The secret is not to give up hope. It's very hard not to because if you're really doing something worthwhile I think you will be pushed to the brink of hopelessness before you come through the other side."
-- George Lucas
Please do not give up now Rachel. You have reached so many people and given so many people hope and encouragement and inspiration that again, despite the outcome (even though I truly believe you CAN and WILL win)-- but, no matter what, you HAVE made a difference for your son, for all of your children-- and for all of ours.
So, for that we again say, THANK YOU Rachel Chumney. Thank you very, very much.
I am a Mom of a special needs child who was FORMERLY in the district. I commend Mrs. Chumney for running for school board! She is a very intelligent, courageous, and passionate woman. It is time for the complacency of the board to be challenged! The local special needs private schools in the area are FULL of former RISD students who could not receive appropriate services as required by law. NEVER underestimate the power of an educated parent advocate (note that Chumney won the first round)! Look and learn about the great changes were are making!
Spot on, Mark. How hard could it be.
"DennisTheBald," commenting rules require commenters to provide their first and last names. Following your profile, it's possible to deduce your last name, but it's better if you sign your comments if you're going to use an account with an alias. Thanks.
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