Former board member alleges political scheming on school board
Former board member Fran Resch
About 100 citizens convened at the district administration building for Thursday's Columbia Borough School Board meeting, largely in response to a recently released video of a classroom assault at the high school.
Bullying among students was not the only topic discussed, however. Bullying is alleged to have occurred among board members themselves. At Thursday's meeting as at previous meetings, allegations surfaced regarding political scheming by some on the board.
Fran Resch, a former board member, brought to light incidents he says occurred during his tenure:
Number one: Back in May, when I was still on the school board, I was approached at home by a current board member and in the course of the conversation I was told we must do what Ken and Tom want. I said I would do what I thought those who voted me into office wanted. No one was going to tell me what to do. I was not doing anything wrong. I could not believe that I was actually approached in this manner, and I ask the board members before me, were any of them approached by anybody on the board?"
"Part two: When I gave my resignation letter to Thomas Stickler - my resignation - he asked me if Kathy [Hohenadel] had got to me. I was shocked, I said, no, absolutely not. Tom then asked me if I knew anybody that I thought might be a good replacement for me on the board, and I suggested Iris Garrido since she had received the second highest number of votes in the November election. At this time Tom looked at me - and this is the truth, I'm not a liar - and said, 'No, I don't want her.' And these are the things that have been eating at me for the longest time. I plead for Dr. Hollister to make sure these things are straightened out. Please give some thought to what I just said. I'm not looking for anybody to lose a job. But I'm finding out now that I'm off the board, I have a better chance to express my views and express them the way I want, because when I was on the board I really did not have a chance to say what I wanted to say."
Director of Operations Tom Strickler
Comments
Do you have the courage to admit that it was you who came to his house? Well, do you?
Do you have the courage to admit that you, the good part of you, was used and bullied by another person? Well, do you?
You know who you are ...and so do we.
Admit that it was you, and resign. Do not embarrass or yourself us any longer.
Maybe you could become immune from violations by having the courage to tell the truth about this whole scheme.
How are they connected?
Is Hollister a victim or a pawn?
You are a good person and well liked by many .
Do not harm your reputation by being part of a scheme that was only devised by one person to create a job for himself.
Be Columbia Proud. Do what is right for all...not what benefits only one person.
You are a better and stronger man than that.. and you just took an oath.
Please do not allow yourself to be used or bullied. Get the facts and listen, you had a preview of the facts at your first board meeting.
Then, if he does get , he must remove Strickler, be honest with the board and start over with a real educator .
Or, is his connection to Strickler more than we know?
Is he willing to damage his own reputation or risk his boards disapproval over this agreement?
Victim or pawn. Good Question.
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
Facts are coming out about the backdoor, unethical dealings of certain members of this school board. The facts and evidence of how people were bullied and used will be the downfall of this ugly scheme by one person for the sole purpose of getting a job.
When Mr. Resch resigned, and Mr. Strickler said that he did not want Iris Garrido, suddenly a former board member who was on the board 4 years ago applied and was granted the school board seat that Strickler did not want Garrido to fill. Facts and evidence of inappropriate dealings.
The drama is unfolding and this perfect,ugly deception is about to see the light of day.
Was told that so far this year , we have lost 3 good teachers, 1 principal, and 2 custodians.
I predict more good people leaving this district unless drastic changes are made.