Stacy Gray For Board Of Education

Well, the last week has been very interesting, humbling and quite eventful!  We began putting out our signs and it has been humbling to say the least.  So many people have requested a sign that we ran out and are waiting on the next shipment!  If you took one….we are eternally grateful and feel very blessed to have so much support.  If you’d like one, email me your address and we can add you to our growing list! (they are quite an attractive lawn accessory)  So many people have emailed, commented, facebooked, and called us asking to help out in any way they can.  Thank you!!!!  No matter the political party, neighborhood, occupation, or age the common denominator is that they all believe we need change and see that I have the tools to do just that!  The most eventful days have been yesterday and today……get ready….I was quite appalled!

In the last 2 days the chairman of the Deptford Democratic Executive Committee has called and approached people who have chosen to support me and berated them.  I went to school with the one gentleman’s wife and they have children in the district.  These other gentlemen (my opponents and their political partners) do not.  It’s not political, it’s EDUCATION and their children’s future for crying out loud!!!   If he is confident his “people” will win hands down then why does he care who has my sign in their yard???  It’s also very similar to a situation that occurred  2 weeks ago when the current board president told members of 2 other groups that I am a paying member of that he didn’t want me standing at their table “politicking”.  He was referencing me wearing a t-shirt at a football game with my blog address (mind you, by law, the board president has no legal authority except when the board is convened).  He could have approached me but instead he and the political machine backing the incumbents chose to bully and intimidate.  And then there are posts that I put on a public Facebook page (DTHS Alumni) announcing to my fellow alumni that I was running for school board.  They had it removed!!!!  This is a place to share news and events to fellow classmates and I am proud to be tackling this new endeavor, so why are they allowed to censor me?   I’m starting to think that perhaps I should check if this using their positions of authority and power to dictate what I can or can’t do is a form of official misconduct. Where do they get this sense of entitlement from??  I pay my taxes too and I am an American citizen.  Who died and left them in charge of hand picking the school board??  They surely send the message of How dare I….a woman….someone not in their “all boy’s club” decide to run for BOE without their nod??  It’s baffling!  It’s also scary….when the political leaders in this town have control over our school district and its $63,000,000 budget, it’s a slippery slope.  Up until now, I didn’t realize that a political affiliation could buy you a seat on the school board.

Then there was today…..I was driving home through the Woodbury-Heights/Deptford area (MMS fundraiser at Brewster’s on 45) and who do I see????  It happened to be the same crew that sat in the back row at the July 5th board meeting, making sure “their guy” was appointed President of the board.  Yes, it was the recently resigned board president, councilman, Deptford Democratic executive committee chairman and current board president putting up their signs right along side mine.  Now, if I was reading this, I’d think so what?  Here’s what: the school board is non-partisan!  Why do they need these political figures to accompany them to ask permission from residents to place their signs?  I don’t look for a party affiliation when I ask for people’s support.  Rather, I tell them my vision and if they share it they will support me.  I would like to think that if the 3 incumbents I am running against have faith in their record thus far they would feel confident about being re-elected.  But no, more bullying and strong arming.  (FYI New Jersey has one of the most strict bullying laws in the country…shouldn’t our elected leaders be the prime example?  Oh, and it applies to adult bullying too)  This just reiterates my point…..they have made no remarkable academic strides in this district to hang their hats on!  Hey, if they had I may not even be running right now!  This is now about education….FINALLY!!!  That is what I want and I know for sure it’s what this community wants and so desperately needs.  The only analogy that I can make here is this: as an educator watching our academic standing deteriorate, I feel like a doctor standing by and watching a patient die.  I have a unique perspective: I know the lingo….understand the acronyms….and write and teach the curriculum.  I can understand the daily going-ons in the classroom and know the questions to ask.   This position is voluntary and unpaid however it has had some very good perks (mostly political appointments and favors) for some of our current board members.  This position is one that you entrust the future and the daily academia of your most priced possession with.  I know this and do not take it for granted….it’s my kids too….I am always a mommy first.  Education for me is not just a job, it’s about being a lifelong learner and valuing the impact I have on our future. I challenge you, the residents, come to the next board meeting (October 16th-7:00 pm) and ask my opponents a few simple questions: Why do you want to be on the Board of Education?  Better yet, ask another…..what is your goal for this district and how will you achieve it?  And another, what are the Common Core Standards, McCrel Evaluation, the Marazano approach?  These are the current topics in education.  I know them, understand them and how they will affect your children and their teachers.  This is all relevant when you decide and  cast your vote.  I can promise you this, I am not a political puppet but I am willing to a puppet to you, the parents and your children!  I will listen and be your voice.  My husband and I are doing a grass roots campaign all on our own, for you!!!  We do not have contributions from political parties or people donating money, but we are vested for our children.  I think my motives and objectives are clear.  The only question left to ask is this:  Are you, the tax payers and parents happy with the last 3 years or do you think it’s time for a change?” It’s time to take the politics out of our children’s education!

P.S.  The OPRA request was granted.  Ralph Ross’s salary is $12,438.00 a month, is entitled to 15 sick or personal leave and 10 days vacation with full pay in each year of the contract.