Morning Read: Schoolteacher accused of vandalizing school election signs
The Glens Falls Post Star has been reporting this week on public school teacher and school board member Mark Richards, who admitted to tearing down the campaign signs and pamphlets of write-in candidates in the Adirondack town of Johnsburg.
“I tore them down because I don’t want them on the board,” he said of the write-in candidates. “I think if they are on the board, they will destroy our school.”
Richards is a PE teacher at a school in Hamilton County, but lives in Johnsburg.
In a lead editorial, the Post-Star blasted Richards and urged him to step down from the Johnsburg school board immediately.
Such behavior is barely even rational, let alone acceptable from a member of a school board and of someone tasked with educating our children.
Mr. Richards — as an elected official, teacher and member of a board governing our children’s education — is expected to set a positive example for the students in the district. But what does he do? He cheats.
The write-in candidates were members of an anti-property tax group that has formed in Warren County.
This blow-up comes as tensions continue to rise in the North Country over school budgets, teacher layoffs, and rising property taxes.
Tags: education
Listen, I object to the Post-Star’s anti-education, anti-intellectual, anti-teachers union positions. I disagree with their opinion, held by others, that taxes is the only factor in quality of life. But this individual should resign from the board. Tearing down signs is anti-democratic. You fight the reactionary mind set with enlightenment not intimidation. And bear in mind, he’s not accused of tearing down the signs. He admitted to doing so and bragged about it. A terrible example for kids. Though at least another terrible role model for kids was booted off the school board in South Glens Falls.
I wish people would stop putting up signs.
In addition to them being unsightly, they seldom sway anyone to vote for the person named on the sign.
I have seen many cases where the person with the most signs was the loser as happened in this sorry case.
I only wish he had torn down more of those signs.
I think this guy IS the reactionary mindset. What he does not get is that this is what people think “union thugs” do, he is playing into their hands.
Bad judgement, leading to bad actions, hmmmm. I’d say that a suspension from the board is in order and in addition, he should have to attend a civics class until he understands the workings of a democracy.