In his letter, Moorestown resident Judson Van Dervort, Jr. expresses his thoughts on the upcoming Board of Education election.
We hear a lot these days condemning bullying and prejudice, but it often appears that people with conservative viewpoints and political affiliations are exempt from these protections. On our Board of Education, of all places, the most qualified candidate to succeed the outgoing president and current vice president, Brandon Pugh, will likely not get the support of his board colleagues at their upcoming vote due to his conservative views.
This is because the teachers’ union leadership is prejudiced against Brandon, and conservatives, and that is well known, and of concern, to some on the board. I don’t recall the union having been voted any seat on this board by the people of Moorestown, but if you don’t think the union ultimately runs the district (and those across this state), you are not paying close attention. This fact was not missed on one of the student commencement speakers at the recent high school graduation, as he pointed this out to the audience.
In America, hopefully still, we welcome multiple points of view respectfully expressed and engage in thoughtful debate to reach the solutions fairest to all constituencies. Brandon is the most qualified to take the role of president. He has been on the board for nearly five years and is the only current member to have completed all three certifications offered to New Jersey school board members. Brandon also serves on the New Jersey School Boards Association’s as vice president for legislation.
Until recently, Brandon served as president of the Burlington County School Boards Association, elected to that role by members of all 42 school districts in the county. Surely they all assume that our board will see in Brandon what they saw, right? Brandon has demonstrated an amazing dedication and care for the quality and reputation of public education and the Moorestown Schools in particular. Let’s support this board in prioritizing the will of the people who elected them — not the people who work for them and who bully them. Come to the board’s reorganization meeting Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m. at the Administration Building.
Judson Van Dervort, Jr.
