Union activists using deception in effort to regain control of Douglas County board

By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. ? Election Day is just a month away and Colorado?s largest teachers union is approaching it with a mix of giddiness and desperation.

CEA leaders and other left-wingers see Nov. 5 as their chance to reclaim control of the Douglas County School Board, which has four of its seven seats up for grabs.

The current board is composed entirely of conservatives who have spent the past several years enacting breathtaking school reforms ? including merit-based pay raises, differentiated salaries based on a teacher?s market value, and decertifying the local teachers union.

The board also recently passed a resolution ?opposing a proposed public education tax, which the union very much favors.

The unionists are eager for a chance to ?flip? the board so they can undo those changes and reassert control of the school district.

But the union activists? excitement is tempered by a sense of dread. CEA leaders understand the DougCo school board has the support of the community, which is why they?re resorting to sneaky and underhanded tactics to turn taxpayers against the board.

It was revealed last month that one union-backed board candidate was caught trying to deceive voters by using doctored audio to create an inflammatory ad against incumbent board member Meghann Silverthorn.

The unionists even have a 75-minute, anti-board documentary they?re peddling throughout the community, called ?The Reformers,? the Observer reports.

Now, The Colorado Observer is reporting that the CEA is planning a Friday afternoon ?Rally 4 Teachers and Kids in Douglas County? outside the school administration building. And like the doctored-audio ad, there?s more to the rally than meets the eye (or ear).

In an effort to conceal the teacher union?s involvement in tomorrow?s protest and present it as a grassroots effort, CEA Vice President Amie Baca-Oehlert emailed members, requesting they leave their pro-union signs and clothing at home.

Instead, the union boss suggested participants bring homemade signs that refer to teachers as ?heroes? and board members as ?bullies.?

?The Board will use anti-union rhetoric to discredit the rally in the conservative county,? Baca-Oehlert explained in the email, according to the Observer.

The rally is just the latest in a string of publicity stunts meant to drive up support for union-backed candidates, without actually disclosing that they are backed by the union.

We?re doubt the voters of Douglas County will fall for it.

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Tags: #edpolitics, #education, @eagnews.org, @kyleolson4, CEA, Colorado Education Association, DougCo, Douglas County school board, EAG, EAGnews, Education Action Group, Meghann Silverthorn, teachers union

Posted on: October 3rd, 2013 by Trevor

Source: http://eagnews.org/unionists-using-deception-in-their-effort-to-regain-control-of-douglas-county-board/

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