BOE member Donna Brightman (appointed to finish Ed Forrest's term) recently complained because her name was not going to be on the plaques of the three new schools due to open next year. State law and BOE policy controls which names go on the plaques. Board members listed are those serving when contracts with company selected to build the school are signed. She was not on the BOE when any of those 3 were signed. Do you think she ruined her chances of being re-elected by being "bitchy" (her word quoted in the Herald Mail) and "whining like a fifth grader" (reporter's words) over this issue?

I think anyone taking away from the agenda that helps children or their constituency, is wasting our time and money.....but it happens. All you can do is decide who to vote for next time. There is probably more than one school few board member to assess. If I was not so burned out, I would also question what the atmosphere was like at BOE. What did she have to put up with from the others, prior to popping off?

With any elected or appointed public figures, we have ups and downs. There is often some undercurrent or other contributers to unrest that do not make it into the paper. Who knows what is going on at the school board, commissioners, council, or Herald-Mail?

Not knowing Ms. Brightman, I can not assess her qualifications or guess at her motivation. Since she was an appointment, I did not look into her background. I also only know what was reported in the Herald-mail. In all fairness, I do not know if that is a fair measuring tool. I do not enjoy public figures detracting from the mission at hand by getting caught up in the trivial stuff. But it happens, look at city council over the last two election cycles. There are many examples of less than stellar public figures.

Remember the whining from some when the council could not agree on whether to take a bus or private cars on the city tour. I bring that up, a big deal over a small item. Similar to the big deal and time wasted on these BOE plaques.

Thankfully, we have a couple of good ones in every elected group. And ones who listen, hear, and show the ability to change.

Whatcha gonna do????????????????..............Maybe just hope your vote sticks and no one resigns next time. Seems to happen more and more.

How about if they save a few dollars and not put up any plaques at the schools? It's your and my tax dollars that are paying to build them, but our names aren't on the plaque. Why are we wasting government dollars on the plaques in the first place?

It sure didn't help. The 2 quotes are pretty accurate, IMO.

She lost my vote

so we know who to blame in 10+ years when everyone has forgotten who approved the design. Like Eastern Elementary with its inability to add a 2nd story and lack of bathrooms..

Saving money is always good. But I believe state law would have to be changed first because I think the State Interagency on School Construction requires plaques with governor, county commissioners, etc.

Folks, I'm all for saving money, but this would be a drop in the bucket in the cost of a new school. If some of you think the tax decrease by the city is so small, this would be the equivilant.

I have no problem with a plaque, but I have a problem with bitching and whining to get one's name on the plaque against established policy. If she is this self-centered now, she is not in it for service to the community and she'll be even more trouble down the road. She clearly lost sight of what's important.

What I liked was her letter to the editor a few weeks ago.

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaysto...amp;format=html

OK fine, so what is this so called bigger story? IMO probably nothing but her trying to create even more BS.

X2!!!!

I agree with B.

This is just another waste of money.

I would like to make a Banner that would go all the way across the school and when the BOE cuts the ribbon it would read, "HEY BRIGHTMAN, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!"

Yup, I agree.

Sadly, this is not the first local official to whine and loose focus of the people's needs. She has lost my vote. That is about all you can do. Hope for the best after researching candidates. At least more than a handful are now running, it used to be an automatic vote across the board. So few ran , they had just enough on the ballot to compose a Board. So, there was hardly a difference come election time. Glad more candidates are seeking office, at least that provides for a limited choice vs. none at all. Now if they would serve a full term, but life happens..............................Love the statement about Brightman needing to shut up. Yeah Hagopinion.

At today's Board of Education meeting, 6 Board members voted to accept the plaques at the 3 elementary schools, but Donna Brightman abstained. She did not go so far as to vote against them, but her resolution not to vote for them says a lot about her position, her ego, and her priorities. Perhaps we should start a topic on desirable qualities and abilities in future BOE members.