Part One: What Just Happened?

Sarasota School Superintendent Explains

The newly-elected Sarasota School Board Chair Tim Enos rewarded every single voter and constituent who supported his now designated status by pointing a third finger in their direction. It might as well have been a knife in their backs.

What smacked of a betrayal to the community at the November 19 school board meeting, where a new chair and vice-chair were voted on, it could also have been seen as a validation. When authority attempts to silence a community, which was the unmistakable message from three of the five board members, it’s because those voices are making a difference.

If anyone reads it as paranoia, board member Bridget Ziegler attempted a motion to reduce public speakers’ times at the meeting from three minutes to one minute. Robyn Marinelli provided the second for it to go to a vote. Both attempted to walk it back after the audible outrage was heard from the public in attendance. Many prepare hours in advance on researching agenda items, as well as ensuring that their words are impeccable and matter in the allotted time frame.

When it was Paulina Testerman’s turn at the dais, she was noticeably shaken by this abrupt move to silence their voices. Citing this was their usual brand, she stated "This is so incredibly rude . . .and disrespectful to us. We can see you.”

Before the meeting even began, it couldn’t have gotten off to a more inauspicious start. The anticipation and sparks of joy emanating from the crowd waiting outside to be let in, quickly turned to frustration, confusion and anger. They were there to witness the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected board members Tom Edwards and Liz Barker.

However, only the first half of people standing in line were let into the boardroom. Even Edwards’ campaign field manager, Sebastian Martinez, was left outside as the installation formality was taking place.

As the minutes ticked away, a school resource officer informed the unsuspecting people remaining in line that the ceremony was presently happening. Edwards came rushing out as soon as the protocol ended to inform those left outside that he was yelling at staff to “Open the Doors”. The mood was still surprisingly jovial, as he was greeted with applause and cheers.

In a conciliatory move, Edwards’ approach was: If they can’t come to the party, I’m bringing the party to them. A few minutes later, he brought out Barker, who stunned in a blue dress. Waving humbly, her constituents congratulated the new board member with the same warmth she exuded.

Barker and Edwards greet constituents who weren't allowed inside the boardroom

So what really happened?

“I’m not sure I know exactly what happened. . .”, Edwards explained. “All I know is that wherever I went and spoke with and asked to please let the people in, I was either ignored or placated.”

Superintendent Terry Connor expeditiously sent an email with the below explanation:

Thank you for reaching out regarding the recent swearing-in ceremony for our new board members. I understand your concern and would like to clarify the situation.

During the event, several citizens in attendance, which led me to believe those who desired to attend the ceremony were present. However, upon receiving your email, I am now aware that some individuals could not enter the ceremony due to reserved seating arrangements. Specifically, seats were reserved for recipients of the SCS Cares recognition, their families, and administrators.

Regarding those waiting outside, I was informed, after the ceremony, they were anticipating the reorganization meeting at 5:45 pm, not the swearing-in ceremony itself. This misunderstanding contributed to the issue.

I apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding this situation may have caused. We value community involvement in all our proceedings. If you have further questions or would like to discuss this matter in person, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Does such a generous and forthright email sound like a person who also wants to cut back on school board meetings from twice a month to once a month as described in Agenda 6 that was to be voted on that evening? He stated that he was the one behind the plan.

With no workshop discussion done on this particular agenda, explanations and votes towards the end of the meeting seemed to verify that this was a blindsiding hit designed to discourage community involvement.

The public had seen it before when at the last installation ceremony two years ago, the board members set forth a motion that caught everyone off guard - to fire the former superintendent, Brennan Asplen.

A blatant attempt to hijack and distract from a happy and hopeful collaborative occasion seemed to be in the works. Was the debacle of the swearing-in ceremony just a foreboding of things to come? No, it got worse.

One wonders who was to blame for the disjointed meeting. Was it the agent of chaos - Ziegler? Could it be Enos, who went deaf, dumb and blind to very vocal supporters? Or did the beloved superintendent let down his community with a completely befuddling and contradictory plan that would disengage community input?

Find out in Part II of What Just Happened? in the next Dear Bubbie.