Change:P.A.I.S.D

Change: P.A.I.S.D
By
Jeffrey J. Ortiz

On May 13, 2006 the citizens of Port Arthur, Texas voted to change the make up of their school board. Three weeks later the new members were sworn in after a recount at the request of Mrs. Donna Worthington. At the same meeting the board voted for Willie Mae Elmore to replace Julia Samuels as board president and Gregory Flores as the vice president. This is a major power shift.

The three citizens who were sworn in have the ability to control the votes on a lot of key issues including the site of a new high school.

The following are quotes taken from a published report from KFDM – TV:

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Weeks/PAISD:"I hope this will be a sign and maybe we will have some peace and unity to focus on the main issues that we are facing."

Julia Samuels/School Board Trustee:"I have no vendettas against any of the newly elected members. I just want what's best for the children."

The board voted to hire the law firm Wells, Peyton, Greenburg, and Hunt.Johnson, Marks, Flores and Elmore voted in favor of the changes.
Julia Samuels says the new members should not vote until they have done their research.

Julia Samuels/School Board Trustee:"You may want to read minutes from previous meetings before you really come in and vote. That could come back to bite you later."

Kenneth Marks/New School Board Trustee: "If we can spend $10,000 on steaks and pineapple cake then we should be able to take care of our children... and hire the most competent law firm to represent them."

Julia Samuels/School Board Trustee:"Anyone is innocent until they are proven guilty." Lloyd Marie Johnson/New School Board Trustee":"I want to say ... hey we can work together as one, especially if we want to get a new superintendent here we have to work together."

Change is good. Change is needed in every city and on every school board. Citizens must pay attention to what is going on in their local and county governments. It’s time to hold the elected ones accountable.
It’s a new season in PAISD. Hopefully in this season the children will come first. We will see!