B-b-but Bridget Started It
. . .and it backfired
Sarasota County residents probably witnessed one of the more divisive displays at a School Board Work Session, held on April 16 where upon board member Robyn Marinelli ripped up a resolution that was presented before them.
The resolution, written by board member Tom Edwards, was entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA ACKNOWLEDGING AND CONFIRMING THE SCHOOL BOARD’S OBLIGATION AND COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EDUCATION TO ALL K-12 STUDENTS REGISTERED IN SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSISTENT WITH THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
This resolution was written in response to public pushback after Board Member Bridget Ziegler asked about looking into tracking immigration students. Marinelli didn’t think so.
“I don’t normally get this upset over this kind of thing,” Marinelli said, before tearing the two-page resolution in two.
“There needs to be an apology to the citizens of this county if you have to bring this kind of thing. . .” She also stated that Edwards should “maybe resign”.
Calling the resolution a “sheer political maneuver”, Edwards countered that the resolution was in response to public comments after what one speaker referred to as Ziegler’s “vile words”.
“This is a clean resolution to say to the public, ‘this is who we are’,” Edwards began. “We want to allieviate public comment. We listen to the public. Yes, we follow the law. Put all the noise behind us. Here is a clean slate.”
Touching on the irony of Marinelli’s accusation that his agenda was “political theatre”, he replied with a laugh: “Political theatre is ripping up a piece of paper. This resolution was meant with the best of intention.”
At a past workshop, Marinelli expressed "We set the tone at the meetings." Yet her anger was inexplicable and unexplainable. Would she have preferred no response to the public comments?
She stated that she isn’t “asleep at the meetings”, so did she not hear the public decrying Ziegler’s comments on documenting immigrant students? Was she angered by the actual resolution itself, which is by design the very motto of the Sarasota School System, “Every student, every day”?
This is not the first time Marinelli said one thing and acted in complete opposition to her own words. At a board meeting, she expressed the importance of giving the public a voice and was “willing to stay after midnight” if that’s how long it took for every voice to be heard.
At the very next meeting, she immediately seconded that public speakers’ time be cut. She doubled down on this at the next work session.
She spoke of decorum by audience members at meetings, yet lost control over a resolution, assuming there was a motive behind it.
Blaming Edwards for a having a political agenda, but at the same time pointing out that what started it all was Ziegler’s seemingly political statement on immigrants, Marinelli said: “This resolution started off directed at a certain board member.”
There was a similarity at a Sarasota County Board Meeting a few years back, when a speaker infamously shouted to the board members regarding Ziegler’s husband, Christian: “He started it!” Now at a school board meeting, Ziegler, like her husband, “started it”.
Meanwhile, Christian’s wife expressed joy at the “fodder” her initial comment inspired. She stated that “people are in a flurry” and admitted that she was glad this was being discussed. This gave Ziegler an opportunity to talk about immigration. “On the Global level, it is impacting our communities, our country and our schools.” Ziegler then incorporated President Joe Biden closing the borders.
Is this what she refers to as student achievement on the agenda?
Known for her hypocrisy and gaslighting, Ziegler concluded: “If I get blamed for bringing in politics, then game on.”
Christy Karwatt, a popular retired teacher, who often proudly acknowledges former students at the meetings, had hoped for passage of Edwards’ resolution. Speaking at the board meeting held later that day, she not only questioned Ziegler’s comment on March 19 that classrooms were “more of a burden than usual”, but also the political timing of broaching the subject of immigrant students. “The public needs to be reassured,” she stated.
Paulina Testerman saw no reason for the resolution not to be signed. “It’s not like we’re asking you to donate a kidney.”
Ziegler, asking Superintendent Terry Connor for data on non-speaking English students, addressed the topic. Possibly coming as a surprise to Ziegler (and debunking her politically motivated talking point to ‘close the border’), Connor explained that the uptick in non-speaking English students were Russian and Ukranian. (Mostly in the South County.) Spanish speaking students were down 10%.
From October 2023, to March 2024, there was an increase of 293 English Learning Language (ELL) students. In the past five years, there has been a three percent increase.
Connor spoke of seeing ELL in the Sarasota School System as an opportunity to improve, as statewide the learning gap is 26%. In Sarasota, the gap is 28%. Citing a forward-thinking team, the schools applied for and received a Stronger Connections Grant.
As a result the schools will be hiring two ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Instructors.
When discussing public comment, Rose insisted that the focus needed to remain on student achievement. Edwards agreed, but placed blame on the board. “The public comments are in response to the board agenda; not public induced.”
Rose disagreed stating that she hears “repeated political narratives”.
She spoke often of activists and people outside of the region taking over public comment. This sparked most of the speakers at the board meeting to state that they are residents of Sarasota County.
Most of the speakers would be defined as advocates who speak on behalf of an individual, group or an organization. Activists work to spread awareness which spurs broader social or political change. The activists at the board meetings are in support of public education, and therefore should be on the same page as the board members who profess to the same.
The meeting started off with Barbara Vaugn, who stated: “I’m so happy to see Bridget Ziegler here.” Her speech consisted partly of the religious significance regarding the tattoo on her arm. With scripture being quoted at every school board meeting, it appears she does not want the separation of church and state. “Keep your eyes on him and not be diverted with evil,” she practically crooned.
Duff Smiley spoke next, comparing the LGBTQ+ community in the room to the mafia. This led to him stating that he found it disrespectful that four students at the beginning of the meeting didn’t stand up for the flag.
Did the first two speakers - both of whom support Rose - touch on Student excellence? Or were they extolling criticism of the people in the board room waiting to speak? This bullying is against policy, yet Rose said nothing.
Leila Newcomb spoke glowingly of the pre-K improvements in the school system, but wanted trained professionals who could concentrate on learning through “play and creativity”. This has proved to be far more effective for young students, she noted, who are often times misdiagnosed with ADHD or become turned off to school through ineffective teaching techniques.
Wendy Rosen asked Rose to build a bridge with moderates. She suggested a Citizen group be formed to build trust and a relationship with the board members.
Richard Canarelli asked questions of the board in reference to the oversight of tax dollars. He wanted to know: the total costs of vouchers; public funds going into religious schools (and); a course description that teaches communism. When there was silence, he stated: “I’m overwhelmed. I’m still waiting.”
Board members are not allowed to respond during the public comment segment of the meeting.
Only the sound of a buzzer going off, revealed that his time was up.
Sebastian Martinez raced to the meeting from a painting job after listening to the workshop. He apologized for his appearance, but appeared to be dumbfounded by Marinelli’s “tearing a piece of paper”.
Later Martinez explained: “What I wanted to say was that Robyn isn’t there to listen to students or parents, to facilitate change, or to improve our district. She’s just there to be a lap dog for her donor and Karen, not serve her constituents.
“I was frustrated because as a former student, who attended our schools, and still has friends and teachers in the district - I know the plethora of issues our students and teachers face. But it’s Karen and Robyn demonizing public speakers (Mind you the only time they can get direct input from their constituents since they’re never in our schools except for photo ops).
“They won’t listen to you, if you’re not in their party. It’s frustrating because as an elected official you should be a public servant, not an adversary to the public. They forget they serve a school district of people of all backgrounds, Not just the 1776 PAC, Leadership institute, or the Hollow.”
Michael Weddle spoke in the spirit of the TV show MythBusters. Ziegler had claimed that no books had been banned from Sarasota schools and Marinelli asked the Superintendent if books had been banned at previous meetings.
“Students had to help teachers pack up their libraries,” he stated, due to the “Don’t Say Gay / Parental Rights Laws that had passed. However, the state made a settlement and most of the draconian bill was recently overturned due to it being unconstitutional. “A thrift store received thousands of books from classrooms, as a result,” he stated, proving his point.
He asked the Superintendent and Board members to be vocal in messaging teachers to rebuild their libraries. “Students need books. Provide teachers with a budget to replace them.”
Anya Dennison, a graduate of the Sarasota School system, agreed that the board needs to better “inform the public” of the laws that were reverted back. “Have we seen implementation?” she asked.
Sarasota High School Senior August Rey used his Senior Skip Day to attend the board meeting. “I’m here because things need to change,” he said, passionately.
John Wilson did not speak of Student achievement but believes educators’ goals are “to make kids more confused”. Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with: Real Woman aren’t Men”, he stated “I know trans kids aren’t getting bullied,” unaware that his shirt was the definition of bullying. “My kids were bullied by forcing them to wear masks.”
A retired long-term administrator of public schools, Deb Hayes had hoped Edwards’ resolution would be passed. Signing the resolution would “affirm equal education. Unity. Would would it have hurt?” Hayes commiserated that she was sad over the missed opportunity.
Alice Blueglass, who comes from a long line of educators, pleaded with the board to make a “positive difference”.
Thomas Babicz, who is running for a school board seat, questioned elementary age school children fundraising. At Taylor Ranch, they raised money for the United Way, which Babicz aligned with Planned Parenthood. “Bribing students with pizza parties is unacceptable,” Babicz concluded.
He has raised almost $5,000.00 in campaign fundraising. His expenditures include a $200.00 ticket to “General Flynn’s Event”.
One of the last speakers, Lance Shilling let the board know that he thinks they’re doing a great job. He believes that the people who attend the meetings are not the majority. He then went on to mention CRT (which only exists in college courses and has never been in the Sarasota School system) and “white fragility”. Comparing the business of the board to a Chik-Fil-A, he said even the popular fast food chicken chain gets complaints. He ended his speech with “God bless.”
Dr. Theoni Soublis rushed from her job in Tampa to make it to the meeting. She expressed dismay at the approval of Charter School USA that has a bad record and entails a Christian Nationalist agenda. She asked for fiscal accountablity on vouchers. “We want answers.”
Support Our Schools Founder Lisa Schurr moved the room when she stated that ESE Exceptional Student Education (ESE) is personal to her. She relayed a story about her special-needs sister in the 1970’s learning from a Janitor’s closet. She reminded Rose of a speech the chair had made on December 3rd at the far-right entity known as The Hollow where Rose stated that she would choose to dismantle the Federal Department of Education. “You want to do away with these greatest protections, Mrs. Rose?” she asked.
ESE and ESL take the most money and effort to teach, Schurr explained. With defunding due to vouchers and charter schools, these would be the programs most likely to be cut first.
Only one speaker, Liz Barker, who is running against Rose for the school board seat touched on the AI pilot program that the schools are testing. While PackBack is enthusiastically welcomed by Connor, Barker emphasizes that this can’t be a replacement for good writing skills, including written expression. “Writing and reading go hand in hand,” she insisted, while understanding that PackBack was acquired in hopes of helping students and the required Fast Writing Exams.
If there were any questions left unanswered, they would be:
Why is Rose upset by ‘activists’ who advocate for public education? How can she deem it political while she is talking about education with people who represent far right ideologies? Aren’t public school activists and a public school board supposed to be allies?
What about Marinelli’s overreaction to Edwards’ resolution? Did someone hype her up before the meeting? This was not the behavior of a board member who is supposed to hold themselves up to a higher standard. It makes me wonder: Who owes who an apology?
In the Next Dear Bubbie: An in-depth look at Liz Barker, who is running for Rose’s seat. What was the final straw that made the mother of four decide she had no choice but to run for office?