Letter: Teacher never belonged on ballot

The voters have elected Randy Green to the Douglas County Board of Education. I am a retired school teacher and administrator of 38 years and was a community college trustee for four terms. I am and have always been a strong supporter of the teachers and classified employees unions.

I also believe that there are avenues for these groups to bring their concerns to the elected body in a fair and equitable manner.

There are a number of reasons why Randy Green should not be seated on the Douglas County Board of Education. The two most glaring are: first is that the county counsel should not have allowed him to be on the ballot because the state statutes do not allow an employee of a school district to run for office of that district.

Would council allow a school administrator to be on the ballot for the Board of Education? I don't think so! Secondly, if he were allowed to be seated, then what would happen in the next election if three more employees ran for the board and won? Well, the four employees could not take action on any item that affects them, such as teacher salaries, administrative salaries, classified salaries, curriculum matters, capitol improvement dollars or most everything that would be on the agenda of a school district board meeting.

They could not even get rid of an employee who was incompetent, including any of the district administrators (if they felt there were any that needed to be fired). All of these items affect teacher salaries and teacher rights and these are mandated to be taken care of at the bargaining table by statute.

Why did Randy Green not go to the State Ethics Board and ask their opinion on running for this board seat? Simple answer, the board would have told him that it was a conflict of interest and that he could not be on the ballot or seated if elected.

I would urge you, Randy Green, to resign and encourage the teachers to find other residents of the county with an interest in education to run for the board. If these individuals are elected then let them take the teachers' concerns to the other members of the Douglas County Board of Education.

TED TIFFANY

Genoa