Monday, January 4, 2010 Daybreaker: BISD gets an early New Year's gift...or do they? Do you feel that breeze? School's back in session, and you're feeling the great big sigh of relief coming from BISD honcho, "Doc" Thomas. Only a few days in, the new year is shaping up quite nicely for Thomas and his fan club (otherwise known as the BISD board). That whole petition to reorganize the BISD school board has, um, changed. Just don't call it a setback. Got that? It's NOT a bad thing. This is good, folks. It gives these "concerned citizens" more time. You know, to get more organized and some such. The big drive to get the citizens of Beaumont to consider a fundamental reorganization of the BISD Board has hit a snag slowed. A fact that, if you've been reading us for a while, you'd know greatly pleases his highness. Originally, a group of engaged parents was aiming to get an initiative on the ballot for May consideration. Their goal: to change the board's makeup to five, single-member districts, and two at-large positions. Currently, the board consists of seven single-member districts. Regardless, that ain't gonna happen. Why? The group maintains that after getting roughly a third of the signatures necessary to place the matter on the ballot, the focus of the initiative changed. By the way, did you ever see a petition? Anyway... Not only do they wish to change the representation on the board, but they're interested in "redrawing the district lines" -- providing what they claim is "equal representation." This sounds a whole lot like what professional crooks politicians do; you know, "gerrymandering." Back in 2003, Tom DeLay had a blast "redistricting" before he was shotgunned outta office and onto the dance floor. So what started out as a simple plan to give two seats on the board to at-large candidates, has morphed into a full-on fight to fundamentally alter the landscape of board representation. After DeLay got ahold of his maps in '03, the resulting elections took away roughly half of the Democrat owned seats. Not bad for drawing a few lines on a map. On second thought, if history is any indication, this might be a rough year after all for Thomas and his fun bunch. 9 Gator-baiters: Sneeky said... When I read the title I was hoping you were going to tell us Thomas had resigned. Shucks maybe dreams will come true one day soon. January 4, 2010 5:51 AM Anonymous said... I hope those citizen's succeed. January 4, 2010 6:29 AM Joe said... I saw the petition, signed it three times January 4, 2010 7:43 AM BISD Employee said... There are things going on behind the scenes that the local media isn't telling you about. But the employees at BISD are aware of the people coming into our offices and asking questions. January 4, 2010 8:39 AM Anonymous said... Did you know that less than 50% of Beaumont's population reside in districts represented by trustees Trahan, Whitaker, Williams and Reece and that over 50% of Beaumont's population are in districts represented by trustee's Nantz, Brassard and Neild? THIS IS A FACT! So why shouldn't the lines be withdrawn? Since when does a minority of the population get to have the majority of the representatives of the governing body? It would be like giving Louisiana more representatives in Congress than Texas, even though Texas has a larger population. January 4, 2010 11:36 AM FF said... The greedy school districts of Beaumont, PNG, and Port Arthur are highly dependent on our industrial refining base to support the excesses they have hoodwinked the public in supporting. There is no end to what these money hungry school districts think they can’t live without! Heavy taxation, prohibitive EPA regs, and excessive demands from unions are making financial life downright miserable for the corporations that bring us prosperity. It's entirely possible that ExMo, Huntsman, Neches Butane, Velero, and Motive will decide it's cheaper to move their operations offshore and rid themselves of the political corruption they are forced to contend with. The greed that this asshole Thomas practices and represents cannot continue. January 4, 2010 12:44 PM WrinkledShirts said... Oh Gator, Gator, Gator! I wonder about you sometimes. If you go from 7 single districts to 5 there's going to have to be a some line redrawing somewhere in order to make those districts have an equal amount of voters. I know the math is but hang in there. Have you ever seen that there BISD district line map? They have it hanging on the wall down there at the BISD headquarters if you want to take a peek. You can't have your own copy to take home though. They don't want that thing falling into the wrong hands. But seriously, Gator, you seem to be falling under the good Doc's spell. Please say it ain't so. January 4, 2010 10:20 PM WrinkledShirts said... See, there I go with typos, you've got me all flustered! First paragraph last sentence, "I know the math is hard but hang in there." Can't be lettin' ya think I don't know no English! ;) January 4, 2010 10:23 PM GATOR said... Under "Doc's" spell? There aren't enough Pharmaceuticals in the world. Don't you worry, WrinkledShirts. January 5, 2010 7:28 AM