Comment of the Week

Observer, a valued OM commenter, leaves a comment that stands out among the recent post-election spate of nasty, sniping comments we've been seeing of late:

For better or worse, the people have spoken. It is time to move on already. This past shabbat, Rabbi Billet, in the largest orthodox shul in the Five Towns (and the largest Young Israel congregation in the nation) spoke about the election and I think everyone commenting on this site could learn from what he had to say. He spoke of the Board's responsibility: first and foremost to the public school children, but secondarily, to the rest of the children of the District. He spoke VERY strongly of the newly elected Board's obligation to keep the needs of the public school children at the forefront and to make them, the board's primary responsibility. He also spoke of what brought us to this point, which was the history of (at least a perception) of prior BOEs not keeping in mind their secondary responsibilities to the remaining children of the District. He also pointed out that there is nothing for anyone to gloat about, that it is simply time to move on and do what is best for the children. Hopefully, moving forward, this Board, and future BOEs will keep both responsibilities in mind and make this District better for all of the children in this community. Both sides in this community claim to want to do what is best for all children in this community, so lets do so. It is less than a week since the election, why doesn't everybody calm down, give this board an opportunity to meet its obligations to all the children of the community (with the primary obligation being to the public school children), and move on. Should this Board not meet its obligation, there will be another election (and another, and another). Just give it some time and cut out the nasty comments (from both sides) for at least a little while.

It's nice to see Rabbi Billet express a sentiment that I agree with completely - that the duty of the new BOE is to serve the education needs of the district's public school children, while ensuring that the needs of private school community are met in an equitable manner to the extent the law allows.

Now I'd like to see this community move on and try to heal a little.

And people? Take down the darn lawn signs already. There's just no excuse for dragging this sad chapter out.