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4/9/2009
Did taxpayers win in Beloit?
It’s really something when a newspaper, probably struggling for ad revenues, refuses to publish an ad because it isn’t true. The ad, paid for by the Beloit teachers union, “reference[s] board members’ children and make claims about members’ behavior between one another and with district staff.”
Some allegations are general and open to differing interpretations. Others make specific factual claims. One allegation investigated by the Daily News appears to be demonstrably false. For that reason, the newspaper declined to publish the BEA ad until that allegation was removed. The specific allegations are discussed in the Beloit Daily News (BDN) article explaining the whole thing. The newspaper ran the ad once in the BDN, then actually did some pretty extensive fact-checking before re-running the ad.
The Daily News made efforts to contact the primary parties involved. Board members Pam Charles and Shannon Scharmer, repeatedly named in the ad, each gave extensive interviews to the paper and answered every question. Beloit Education Association President Tim Vedra refused to be interviewed or answer questions. The Beloit Education Association made some pretty hefty accusations in the ad, all refuted by the two incumbent candidates in personal interviews by the BDN. Here’s the ad. You decide – is it over the top?
Scharmer, who did not seek re-election whose 3-year term ends in April, 2010, currently serves as the Board’s Policy and Personnel Committee Chair. The Board in early February, sent a formal request to the teachers union asking to discuss their contract, including pay freezes. Reason enough, do you think, for the union to go after her publicly? Gosh, she wasn’t even running!
Pam Charles, Vice President of the School Board, has responded to the ad on her web site.
The BEA [has] shown that they have no regard for truth, and that they are afraid of a school board that deals with tough issues that may be counter to BEA ideologies.
…. People ask why I would subject myself to the likes of the BEA, why I don’t give up. My answer: because if I give up they would win. They would have complete control over a school district that is owned by the citizens of Beloit. Five candidates, including Pam Charles, ran for 3 seats. Pam Charles was not re-elected.
One of the successful candidates, Tia Johnson, is listed on Progressive Majority Wisconsin’s web site ...”recruited to run for the school board by community members, parents and teachers… because of her pragmatic approach to problem solving…. Progressive Majority will help her develop a targeted voter program and help hone her message.” According to her campaign information, she has the support of the BEA.
The top vote getter, Missy Henderson, was endorsed by the Beloit Education Association, Rock County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Rock County Labor Coalition, United Steelworkers 1533 and Southern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council.
Jessica Everson, on her Facebook page (Extended Info), claims she is endorsed by the Beloit Education Association, Rock County Central Labor Council ALF-CIO (sic) and the Rock County Labor Coalition.
You tell me – did taxpayers win on Tuesday in Beloit?
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
You speak as if teachers and union members are not tax payers or voters.
Richard Vogel (Sat Apr 11 12:41:13 2009)
Oh my. Not at all. Teachers surely wear taxpayer hats. When district expenses increase, typically salaries and benefits will increase by a much larger absolute dollar amount than a district employee's tax bill. So at tax time, which hat is a district employee wearing?
Jo (Sat Apr 11 13:38:16 2009)
Yes, the taxpayers did win. 2/3 of the voters voted for the progressive/labor endorsed candidates. In fact, the two incumbants votes combined didn't equal the number of votes received by the 3rd place candidate.
As to the newspaper's investigation their consisted of contacting Charles' campaign treasurer (who's sister dates the newspaper publisher) and a music teacher employed by the Charles family.
The newspaper then ran the ad with only minor changes and most of the original allegations intact.
The point of the campaign was not fiscal issue, but rather the conduct of the incumbant (Charles).
Also Sharmer remains on the board, her term didn't expire this year.
Tom (Sat Apr 11 13:56:47 2009)
Thank you for the correction on Ms. Scharmer. I appreciate it and will make that note in the piece.
Jo (Sat Apr 11 15:11:11 2009)
Wow, you must have really investigated this election yourself being all the way up in Appleton. You claim the Beloit Daily News did some pretty extensive fact-checking....how do you know this? Just from reading their article? How does interviewing the two main people justify extensive fact checking? Do you think to two people would come out and admit they did anything they were accused of? Did the Beloit Daily News look into any of the documentation that the BEA claims to have? They say it was located through open record laws so why didn't the BDN request anything? The real question is did YOU look into any of these claims? I agree with Tom, this election was more about the behavior and arrogance of a board member more than anything else. Toxic board members are not what are needed when the school district faces so many challenges.
Bob (Sun Apr 12 20:49:22 2009)
Sorry, The "music teacher" (high school band director) who refuted the BEA's false claims regarding my son is NOT employed by me. He is a member of the BEA, a Beloit School District employee. In 2006 he was giving my son piano lessons about once a week. He's simply an honest man of integrity who wanted the truth about this situation to come forward. He came forward because it was the right thing to do when his student and his program were under attack. He is an excellent band director and we're fortunate to have him -- VERY fortunate. For the BEA to lie about a child was wrong. He has set a fine example for the students in this district. Other teachers have also apologized to my son for the actions of the BEA. I appreciate that as well.
Mr. Klett, past president of the Beloit School Board, worked with me for two years and with Shannon for three years. He was asked to respond simply because he was familiar with both of us. Yes, he was my treasurer. He's also know as an honest and reputable man in Beloit.
Pam Charles (Sun Apr 12 21:13:49 2009)
It seems as though Pam Charles has not learned the basic lesson of this election. The people voted for clear open minds. Pam doesn't seem to recognize that her behavior had anything to do with her loss. That's unfortunate. I'm hoping our new school board will be able to work together toward issues in a positive noncombative way.
Vicki (Mon Apr 13 07:33:40 2009)
How sad it is that Pam Charles simply can't let this go. She mass emailed a link to this blog to everyone in the entire School District of Beloit. The BDN only ran the ad once, not twice as is inferred above. Shannon Sharmer was not up for re-election this year which was written in the original blog. Talk about fact checking! This blogger didn't even take the time to read the BDN article to figure out what she was talking about.
The voters of Beloit spoke loudly last Tuesday. Pam doesn't like the fact she lost, maybe could have a negative impact as she tries to move up the political ladder. She wants everyone to know only 18% of the city voted...I want to know how many voted when she was first elected.
Since it is clear that Pam Charles reads this blog, I have two questions I would like her to answer that the BDN failed to ask her about:
1. Why did you have Kim Thompson's signs in your vehicle the previous election? If you thought they were placed in improper places why did you feel it was your obligation to take them?
2. Did you open enroll your students in the Janesville School District for next year? This would have happened before this mess even began for you which makes me wonder how truly dedicated you are to Beloit.....
I am sure I will be waiting for a long time to hear response to these questions......
Todd and Kelley (Mon Apr 13 09:58:15 2009)
Geez, get a grip Todd (and Kelley? Exact same comments. Weird). I understand the BEA may have a little explaining to do in the next days and weeks; may not have done enough fact-checking themselves. We'll see. If an error exists in my work, I'm very appreciative when it is pointed out.
So much at stake. Kids must be educated - educated well, and at a cost affordable to taxpayers. The Board of Education has a very large job ahead of them. Remember, it's about the kids - and the community they will ultimately contribute to.
Jo (Mon Apr 13 7:02:10)
The BDN did not do an extensive investigation. I have no doubt that the BEA can back up nearly all of it claims.
IMO and many voters, Scharmer and Charles have questionably used their positons for personal gain,and they have called staff on the carpet many times for doing much less. They have repeated been blatently rude and offensive to both district employees and fellow board members, in the name of "asking tough questions." Your reporting has tried to make it a red and blue issue much like the BDN. It failed to report that other conservative or moderate candidates have gotten strong teachers union support in the past. This election was about honesty, integrity, ethics, and professional behavior lacking in two board members, Scharmer and Charles. The local paper in Beloit has shown undeniable favoritism in their reporting. Strong, thorough investigative reporting by your paper would uncover facts to support the BEA's claims in their ad.
beloit supporter (Wed Apr 15 08:23:45 2009)
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