The Wheel's 2022 Voters Guide

Early voting for the 2022 Richardson ISD school board election starts Monday, April 25. So, too, for the Dallas College school board election, a new field for The Wheel to cover. RISD is electing trustees in three single-member districts (if you don't live in one of those districts, no RISD race will be on your ballot). Dallas College is electing trustees in two single-member districts, one of which includes [most of] RISD. Use Vote411.org to see your personalized ballot and to read how the candidates answered a questionnaire by the League of Women Voters.

There are some great candidates running. There are also some who are a risk to equity/diversity/inclusion, to social-emotional learning, to anti-racism policies, to prudent public health measures, and ultimately to effective education, which can't happen without supporting a safe and healthy environment for learning the three Rs. Use The Wheel's Voters Guide to learn one person's opinion about which candidates are which.

POTD: Temple of Hatshepsut

From 2019 11 22 Valley of the Kings

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Temple of Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile River opposite Luxor, Egypt. Hatshepsut (c. 1507—1458 BCE) was one of the few female pharaohs of ancient Egypt, ruling the country for twenty years. The architecture of this mortuary temple is unlike any other ancient building in Egypt, to my knowledge. It's as impressive from afar as it is from up close.

POTD: Hatshepsut's Modern Girls

From 2019 11 22 Valley of the Kings

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Temple of Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile River opposite Luxor, Egypt. Hatshepsut (c. 1507—1458 BCE) was one of the few female pharaohs of ancient Egypt, ruling the country for twenty years. Egypt was never known as being particularly welcome to female rulers. I don't know how much the young women in this photo appreciate the accomplishments of Hatshepsut, but I hope they are inspired to lead Egypt in the 21st Century.

P.S. That's "L" in the middle, wearing her favorite "camel" pants, equally at home in the Temple of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut and with a group of modern girls.

Let's Talk: Teacher Salary Compression

Source: TASB.

During the public comment section of the April 11, 2022, Richardson ISD school board meeting, one speaker raised a concern about teacher salary compression.

Despite TOMA's Gag, Let's Talk

Source: TOMA Handbook.

The Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) is one of the laws that sounds good in principle, but the devil is in the details. Let's talk about how TOMA gags school boards, and then some simple steps school boards can take to better achieve TOMA's stated aims.

Yellowstone - S01 (TV 2018)

Rotten Tomatoes

Yellowstone - S01 (TV 2018): Soap opera on a scenic ranch in Montana. Aging patriarch. Four rebelling children, all really just wanting to please daddy. King Lear on the frontier? I wish. A grab bag of plot predicaments, clichéd dialog, and one-note acting. Pretty scenery. D+

#VeryTardyReview

Judging Candidates by the Company They Keep

"Tell me the company you keep, and I will tell you what you are." — Miguel Cervantes

A political faction is active in the Richardson ISD school board election. They are raising money through a political action committee and are campaigning with candidates in a coordinated fashion. That faction is the Richardson ISD Families First PAC. The candidates are Sherry Clemens (RISD District 2 candidate) and Jan Stell (RISD District 5 candidate). Oh, and they are all palling around with a certain "viral comedian."

Following the Money in RISD Campaigns

From: source unknown

Campaign finance reports are available for review on the Richardson ISD website under "Election Filings". The reports cover only the last few months. 2021 contributions aren't included. Obviously, future contributions between now and Election Day aren't included. Here are my observations from a cursory look at these partial reports.

Peacemaker (TV 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

Peacemaker (TV 2022): Superhero comedy. John Cena from Suicide Squad saves Earth from an alien invasion of body-snatching butterflies. Mostly silly, stupid behavior that always implausibly works out in the end. Best part might be the title sequence's TikTok dance. C+

Short-Term Rentals Are Getting Regulated, a Little

Source: Airbnb.

Complaints about Airbnb, Vrbo, etc., aren't new. On Monday, the Richardson City Council reviewed options for regulating short-term rental properties in Richardson. Why did it take so long? The wheels of government turn slowly, but the wheels are turning. That might not result in the strong actions some might hope for or expect.