The real reason board member Ana Petero rebels - she doesn’t get to be “the boss”
From questions emailed by board member Ana Petero in March of 2023 (three years into her four-year term), received in a batch of documents received as a result of a public records request. You know what she really doesn’t like? The fact that board decisions are made by the majority. You know, basic democracy. I suppose things would be much easier of each board member was given absolute authority over different aspects of the district. I could take these schools, for instance, and another board member could have the final say on decisions in those schools. Or I could have final say over hiring and firing, and another board member could have final say over all bid awards and contracts, for instance. Can you imagine how that would work?
To be fair, it was a painful adjustment for me to realize after I got elected that I had no individual authority. I had the title, a voice, some nice business cards, and invitations to show up as a dignitary at school events, but no say on what happened except when voting on things, and only when I’m in the majority. That hurts sometimes. I eventually adjusted, and realized that the team of colleagues I was shackled with was my only chance to influence the district, and hence the kids and community. If I’m not pulling with the team, I’m pulling against the team and ultimately hurting the community I’ve sworn to serve.
I don’t think board member Petero views her responsibility as a board member the same as I do, and if you are a voter in her area (mostly Cordelia Villages and new Green Valley), I urge you to vote against her in November. If she hasn’t gotten it by now, something is wrong and someone else (anyone else!) should have a go at it.