Knowledge is power. Sarasota residents following the actions of the School Board members certainly had their qualms about the newly elected Tim Enos and Robyn Marinelli, but now they have shown the public who they really are.
Marinelli was not on my Bingo card as the rabble-rouser. Not the woman who said with a knowing smile that the board members ‘set the tone’ for the people in attendance at the meetings. Not the former school counselor who had been in the public school system longer than any other board member. What we’ve learned about Marinelli is that she’s the sheep that Ziegler so adroitly (and easily) herds.
One conservative at a school board meeting was overheard to say: “She’s on our side.” Marinelli claims to listen, but then acts in a vengeful manner, that is completely in contrast to what one defines as a public servant.
Enos attempted to satisfy both sides with reasonable explanations of being a constitutional officer, whose entire career was based on following the law. Yet, his last vote was a hesitant “Yes” for a resolution that was written by a high school graduate with no legal experience. The board attorney advised against voting in favor of the bill, due to problems it could present. He had a wait and see approach - which was an easy out for Enos.
If Enos has any further political aspirations, they pretty much died at that point, because it showed he can’t think on his feet, or stick to his word. He can easily remedy this by writing a new resolution that might prevent the district from lawsuits or losing Federal funding, but would he?
Can the public excuse his vote after hours of listening to public comment - especially since the vote wasn’t done by the usual school board procedure, but rushed through? However, we’ve all learned that if someone rushes us to sign something, we don’t buy into it. Speaker Terra Kater called the motion “not actionable, but a toothless virtue-signalling.”
Stating her shock that “guns are blazing with anti-transgender rhetoric”, she wonders what happens next. Is this the new dog-whistle to sue President Joe Biden?
The public knows who Karen Rose is, despite how many years she’s been in the public education system. Aligning herself with the Kristi Noem of Sarasota (Ziegler) who is hated on both sides of the aisle, Rose’s votes and demeanor on the board are going to prove devastating come August at the ballot box.
Ziegler has shown her true stripes consistently, with the exception of her own personal life, even as the hits keep coming out. It doesn’t take a professional to see that she is damaged and hanging onto a rope. However, that rope is going to end up snapping. There’s too much hateweight. If hypocrisy is contagious, then that explains Marinelli and Enos’ performance at the last school board meeting.
Marinelli is playing the role of ‘baby reindeer’, under the control of a duplicitous misguided board member, who can’t string two sentences together, because her own state is so precarious. How long can Ziegler, a labelled narcissist, hold together such a beholden facade?
In response, the public must flip the switch and do a reset to insure more devastating blows don’t further dismantle Sarasota’s A-rated district and continue to funnel major funds away from teachers and needed services. In order for that to happen we have to know first who we are.
We’re Lisa Schurr, a leading voice for all students, whose eloquent way of communicating hits home with logic, compassion and precision. In a letter to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, she writes on the recent vote for the school district to supersede the Title IX federal law:
“Four sworn constitutional officers have loudly and publicly chosen to ignore a federal law, just because they don’t like it. And they’ve sent a message to LGBTQ students that they shouldn’t have equal rights under the law.
“These four think the rule of law is a smorgasbord. You can pick and choose which laws you will follow, based on what you like.
What kind of example does this set for our children when our School Board refuses to follow the rule of law? Are we becoming a banana republic?”
We’re Liz Barker (running for school board) and Tom Edwards (up for re-election to the board), who will put students, teachers and a solid public education for everyone, before themselves. They are on the frontline of a culture war and have earned our support. Pass the yard signs.
We’re Christy Karwatt, Susan Maas-Lyon and Mary Holmes - the best educators in our county, whose compassionate and unwavering experienced voices give pause to all within earshot. Holmes concluded that the behavior of Marinelli at the last workshop was “a tantrum that would have put her in a time-out.”
We’re Tamara Solum, a resource teacher who is approached by teachers and staff she’s never met and thanked for her voice at the school board meetings. Her speaking includes the sentiments and concerns of other staff along with her own observations.
We’re Rhana Bazzini, Carol Lerner and Robin Williams - experienced in fighting injustices over the years with clear focus and facts. They have defined “good trouble” without complaint or weariness for decades.
We’re advocates like Bill Hayes, who finds it “incredulous to even have the conversation about breaking the law.” Robert Wright talks about differences making America great.
“We’re all different,” he said. “We need to protect those that are treated differently.” Directing his comments to the board members, he said, “You are charged with doing what’s right - speaking for my late wife - not what’s best for you.”
We’re Elizabeth Bornstein, with hours of volunteer work for the school system, suited up in her trademark headband, ready to hold board members accountable. She speaks of safety for students and the undervalued and underpaid teachers. Her messages are always powerful.
We’re the fearless Paulina Testerman, who is exactly as she portrays herself to be behind the dais at a school board meetings. Willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, there is no pretense or facade. This is why ‘the real deal’ is feared. This is why her teenage son said: “I’m very proud of her.” There’s no higher commendation than that.
We’re parents and grandparents like Leila Newcomb, Julie Forestier and Jessica Thomason, who calls the board out factually as they “sit poker-faced”. They’ve got spunk and grit.
We’re the clergy, like Minister J.T. Pryor, who pushes that “God’s agenda is love.” Reverend Jay Wollen of the Unitarian Universalist states with emphasis: “No one is free until everyone is free.”
We’re Jules Rayne and India Miller, who espouse the true meaning of “academics over activism”. Their energy and patience is inspiring, because if even one person can hear the importance of their words, then the motto of ‘every student, every day’ would become valid.
We’re the youth of Zander Moricz, Sebastian Martinez and August Rey - who fight for the marginalized students who easily slip between the cracks. Mixing the old with the new, when (not if) they accomplish goals of an inclusive education for all, one can hear Louis Armstrong’s “What a wonderful World” playing in the background.
We’re the brave voice of students who describe their experiences in school - from Alex Daughtry and her sister Casanova, who felt forced to withdraw from Booker High School, due to bullying.
We’re Doctors, like Theoni Soublis, who points out the smokescreens some of the board members present that cause “confusion and chaos”. She is about supporting teachers; and in order to do that she preaches that the public must remain “keen and razor sharp”.
We’re Deb Hayes, who states that all “must remain laser focused on student achievement.”
We’re Dr. Sheila Van Hess who calls the “voucher program” a vulture program. She expresses the fear that some of the religious have for the LGBTQ+ community. “God didn’t make mistakes,” she said. “We’re all like stars in the sky. Give them a chance to make them shine. Reflect the compassion and joy we have with each of these children.”
We’re former school board member Shirley Brown, who will never stop caring or learning. Taking a quote from Nate Quinn on the LGBTQ+ community, Brown shared: “It’s not who I go to bed with, it’s who I go to bed as.”
Here’s what we’re not:
We are not exhausted. We are energized.
We are not angry martyrs. We are passionate and persistent.
We are not politics or bible verses.
We’re not fearful of differences.
We believe what the kids tell us.
We know how to reset with decency, decorum and firmness.
When they go low, we go high. Because unlike a Ziegler, we insist on setting a good example for the students, teachers and staff we represent.
We keep our eye on the prize. We’re the buzzing mosquito who won’t let up. We will hold the board members accountable, so they will learn the importance of listening better. We will keep them in focus of what really matters when forced to make the hard decisions in the future.
This isn’t about politics or future aspirations, but the very moment of taking a vote that will enhance the public education system - not chip away at it.
With the expectation of more distraction from Ziegler, wittingly or unwillingly sourced, in our Sarasota - we show up focused. In our advocacy, we will take some blows, but in the end, we win because of who we are.
There is a School Board workshop and meeting scheduled tomorrow at 3pm. Attending in person at 1960 Landings Blvd sends a strong message as to who the school board members constituency are.
For more information, go to this website.
Brava! You certainly captured the environment in which our school board meetings exist. As more people wake up to what's happening there are more shoulders at the wheel. A few more and the wheel will turn. BTW the meeting is at 3:00. The workshop is at 10:00
I wrote my three minutes for tomorrow prior to reading yours. Great minds! Thank you so much for your activism and continuing to educate the public.