In spite of warning from Superintendent, principal, Park Middle School students prepared for teachers’ union May 1st Day of Action

One of the teachers’ union posters for the May 1st Day of Action. Source: www.cta.org/ForAllStudents

Principal labels as “cowardly act” whistleblower informing news media of teachers’ efforts; accused of encouraging students to wear red on Monday to show their support; Antioch High hosting activities, as well

By Allen Payton

In response to an April 21st article by this reporter on this website, about plans by one or more teachers at Park Middle School to recruit students to participate in the promotion of the California teachers union May 1st Day of Action, Principal John Jimno sent out a memo to teachers warning them not to do so. In that memo, he also labeled the action of the whistleblower who informed the Herald “a cowardly act.”

In spite of the warning from Jimno and District Superintendent Stephanie Anello that teachers were not to recruit students or use class time, according to another anonymous staff member at Park, students in the school’s Leadership class were making red paper chains and recruiting other students to support the teachers’ efforts, in preparation for Monday’s activities. The California Teachers Association’s website states “Wear Red for Ed” and that the effort is to “Support All Students.” Yet, the teachers and possibly also the principal are encouraging students to wear red to support the teachers.

An email received on Thursday, April 27th (but unfortunately not viewed until Sunday night) from someone self-identifying as “Conscientious Employee” included Jimno’s email message sent to his school’s staff on Monday, April 24th:

FW: When planning for next week….

John Jimno

Sent: Monday, April 24, 2017 8:42AM

To: PMS Distribution List

Please do not promote this with any students or use class time to work on flyers. I am in talks with the District Office and The Teachers Union. You all have the right to promote this but we cannot use class time or encourage students to promote this. If you would like to discuss further please call me instead of replying to this email.

On another note, it saddens me that someone on our staff would take this inter school memo and send it to a reporter and cause such negativity for our school. For the past 5 years I have worked extremely hard to always have my door open if someone wanted to express a difference of opinion. On many occasions I have shifted or changed a decision or event based on how people were feeling about it. I would hope that if the person that sent this email would either come see me now so we can talk or the next time they feel something is not right they come speak with me prior to sending such a message to the media and causing such an attack on our school. In my opinion it is a cowardly act.

If you are confused about what I am talking about you can read the article on the Antioch Herald that was posted on Saturday.

Sincerely, John

In the email to the Herald the anonymous “Conscientious Employee” also wrote:

“I find it highly unprofessional and insulting that Principal Jimno would call whomever made the public aware of this violation a coward and to be so outraged that information, that the public has a right to know about, making Park look negative rather than being upset about the outrageous fact that a political agenda is being pushed on the student body of his school.

It was my understanding that any potential student involvement with this May 1st “Day of Action,” like wearing red, and activities like the red chain, etc. were to be ceased and the students were not to be encouraged or involved as pawns in this blatant use of the Union’s political agenda push. Not just at Park but also at other school sites throughout the district.

Today, Thursday, April 27th, I was told by other staff at Park that Principal Jimno put over the announcements this morning that the students don’t have to, but that they can wear red on the first of May to show support for their teachers.

Also today during lunches the Leadership students were assigned to run the lunch activity of making the red chain mentioned in the first e-mail sent to the Antioch Herald. Students who participated said that they were told by the Leadership students that the chain was, ‘or the May 1st thing. On May 1st everyone is supposed to wear red and it’s pledging your support.’

Pledging support for what? They were told, ‘That education should be free.’ This was all done during the Leadership students’ class time; they were not accompanied by a teacher and obviously had been instructed on what to say to their fellow students and to promote this agenda.

I dearly hope that this, as Walter Ruehlig so well put it in the comment section of your article, ‘black, white and unarguable violation of prohibition of political activity within the schools’ and unlawful ‘use of District technology, facilities and paid time to lobby’ is ended swiftly. I thank you for your action in keeping the impressionable young minds of Antioch’s youth protected from being used as political pawns.

Sincerely,

‘a conscientious employee’

*This letter has also been sent to the following: Walter Ruehlig (School Board President) and Stephanie Anello (AUSD Superintendent)”

Questions were sent late Sunday night to Anello, Ruehlig and the rest of the board members, asking what actions would be taken against the teachers who ignored the directions by both Anello and Jimno.

In addition, they were asked if the May 1st activities by teachers were also occurring at others schools in the district, if they believe Jimno’s “cowardly act” comment was appropriate, and about a culture of fear in the district which some school staff members are afraid to speak out with views that differ from other teachers, the union or administration.

5/1/17 12:00 p.m. UPDATE: In an email, Monday morning, Anello responded with the following:

“I just spoke with Principal Jimno and there are no activities planned today. If students are participating, it is outside of class and voluntary. The announcement that Mr.  Jimno made about wearing red, etc. was to reiterate the contents of the follow-up email to staff wherein he told them no class time was to be used and no students should be told to wear red, etc. The activity that occurred at lunch time was student led and no teacher directed students to participate.”

However, a person who answered the phone at Park Middle School said Jimno was unavailable for comment as he is not at the school, today. An email was then sent to him asking him why and with other questions regarding the activities alleged by the anonymous Conscientious Employee.

In addition, a voicemail message was left with Vice Principal Peter Crutchfield asking if activities for the May 1st Day of Action were occurring on the campus.

Antioch High May 1st Activities

Promotion of May 1st event at Antioch High on Facebook.

An event listing posted on Facebook described an Immigration Awareness Assembly and Resource Fair at the school for Monday afternoon, from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the description of “Know Your Rights” and the graphic of a black, raised fist.

The assembly, presented by the school’s Lead Academy, offered the subject matters of “Know your rights,” “Information for undocumented students and parents” and “How to protect yourself from ICE” listed in both English and Spanish.

The resource fair began at 11;30 a.m. and included the following description:

“Come join us on May Day for a day of action! You’re invited to Know Your Rights.

Resource fair opens at 11:30 am, program begins at 12:15 pm

Keynote speakers include: Juan Ortiz and Mary Rocha

Resource fair organizations include: First 5, International Institute of the Bay Area, One Day at a Time, Organizing for Action, Planned Parenthood, Together We Will, and United Latino Voices

Asked about the event occurring on another Antioch school campus, Anello said, “Today is a minimum day at Antioch High School and this event happening after school and was organized by students as part of their senior project.”

5/1/17 6:45 p.m. UPDATE

In an afternoon email, Anello responded further, stating “Mr. Jimno did not tell students to wear red. He stated that some staff may wear red as part of a national day of action day but that classroom time should not be used for activities supporting the day.

According to Mr. Jimno, students did not use Leadership class time for any activities related to the day of action.

You are welcome to reach out to Mr. Jimno about his email as he and I did not discuss it prior to or after he sent it out.”

In addition, Jimno also responded to questions emailed to him earlier in the day, including if it was appropriate to label what the anonymous teacher or staff member did to first inform the Herald, a “cowardly act” and if there was a culture of fear at the school that causes some teachers or staff to be afraid to speak up with views that are different from other teachers, the union or the administration.

“In response to the below email:

  • At no time did I make an announcement in attempt to solicit students to participate in what the teachers were planning.
  • The leadership students did not take part in a class time activity to work on this.  Any participation by students was through their request to do so and voluntarily.
  • I have worked extremely hard with the help of many dedicated staff members to create an organization where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.  As my email to the staff suggests, it saddens me that someone chose to go outside the school to express their concern prior to coming to speak with me first.  Before I am accused of having “a culture of fear” on my campus I would hope you would come interview the staff on their thoughts instead of making this judgment on an anonymous email.

Sincerely,

John Jimno”

Another email was received from Conscientious Employee reporting what occurred at Park Middle School, today and last week by students in preparation for the May 1st Day of Action:

“I was told that this morning there were teachers in front of the school wearing red and holding signs and that some students picked up signs and participated as well.  I don’t have pictures of the students making the chain during lunches, they made it during lunches last week I think just so that if anyone questioned it they could say that it wasn’t done on May 1st.  I also find it a side-step trying to avoid the issue that they are saying that any activities were student led and no teachers were involved; yes, the leadership students were running the activity table without adults involved.

“However, they were doing so during lunches that did not correspond with their grade level which means that they were out of a scheduled class missing instructional time to run the red chain activity and they had to have been instructed in what activity to do and what it was about.  Students participating during their lunches may not have been directed to participate but obviously the leadership students had to have been directed by staff.”

Please see the photos, below of the rather muted Day of Action activities at Park Middle School provided anonymously to the Herald.

 

A hand-written sign on the side of a building at Park Middle School on May 1st.

A red paper chain on metal a barrier in front of Park Middle School was one of three seen on fences at the campus on Monday, May 1st.

 


the attachments to this post:


red paper chain on front of school


solidarity sign 2


Know Your Rights


Free Public Education is a Civil Right poster


28 Comments to “In spite of warning from Superintendent, principal, Park Middle School students prepared for teachers’ union May 1st Day of Action”

  1. Marty Fernandez says:

    A whistle blower doing a cowardly act? This principal needs discipline. Whistle blowing is a very legal practice. Park should never have taken part in this activity and Ms Anello needs to take care of this immediately.

  2. A real teacher says:

    Well I hope the self righteous staff member is the first to go if the real agenda is pushed through… Don’t understand why he would not want students to support the cause or he’s bothered by the support of the cause himself, seeing that many of the students for that schools area rely on free school and other aid programs, that are being threatened… Also (s)he’s protected by the union to express his/her opinion rather than being an “anonymous” coward, if you can’t express your opinion (this is knowing he/she is protected by the union, so their job isn’t at jeopardy for expressing) and you have the need to tell the media but not other staff members or your boss, then I believe that this person is indeed a coward, and not just a cowardly act.

    • Robert says:

      Written by “A real teacher” who was afraid to post his/her name.
      lol

      • Michele says:

        Hmmm…neither Payton nor his disciples seem to have a problem about the “anonymous whistle blower” and in fact you seem eager to put them on a pedestal for being willing to report internal messages to you without revealing their identity, yet jump to point fingers at this teacher? How curious.

        (I hope you noted the facetious tone. It isn’t actually curious at all. I wondered how long it would take before one of you tried to pull this double standard. You are all extremely predictable.)

        • Publisher says:

          Michele,
          Thank you for reading the Herald and participating by making your comment.

          While I’d prefer people use their real name when reporting information and news to us, or commenting on here, and I find it rather unfortunate that one feels it necessary in our country where we have the God-given and government protected right to free speech, I really don’t care if people choose to do so. But, I can understand a teacher or staff member at a school doing so. But, not someone who is taking a shot at another person. I applaud Mr. Jimno for including his name on the email where he used the pejorative term of “cowardly act,” although I find it unfortunate that he used that term, as it surely doesn’t foster improved communication with his own staff.

          I merely used the same term that the anonymous teacher leveled at the whistleblower, to describe them and their actions in their comment. The anonymous teacher is the one using a double standard. They don’t like the whistleblower being anonymous, but said so and took a shot at that person while remaining anonymous. So it’s OK for them but not the whistleblower? Rather ironic, isn’t it?

          As for placing anyone on a pedestal, someone blowing the whistle on wrong actions by employees of a government agency while remaining anonymous is much more respectable than someone else remaining anonymous while writing something derogatory about someone else. Two completely different levels of the use of anonymity. One is understandable from a job- and career-saving standpoint, the other is simply classless.

          I don’t know who my “disciples” are. But if you’re referring to others who have commented and agree with me on this issue, and trust me, we don’t always agree, notice, they use their real names. Unlike you who only provided a first name that we’re not sure is real. While I have the ability to see your email address, it doesn’t match your first name. So I don’t know if you’re using a real first name. You certainly aren’t using your complete name. So, you too are guilty of taking an anonymous shot at me and others on here. That’s even more ironic.

          Now, can we raise the level of discourse and focus of this discussion away from the petty digs and shot-taking, and back to where it should be and that is what one or more teachers and students are doing in our taxpayer funded schools on school time using school facilities, and what is being promoted? Because that’s where our real concern should be.

          Thanks.

          Allen Payton, Publisher

    • Publisher says:

      Real teacher:
      Thank you for reading the Herald and for your comment.
      But, I must say, it appears you too are being an “anonymous coward” by not using your real name. Furthermore, I find it rather ironic and disrespectful that you would anonymously call a fellow teacher or staff member a coward or any other name.
      Perhaps it’s that exact attitude of one teacher toward another teacher or staff member that caused them to report anonymously to the local media. But, why are you living in fear of using your real name when commenting, especially if you’re going to lob such a disparaging, derogatory, pejorative term at a colleague?
      As for students participating in the promotion of the teachers’ union political agenda, you think that’s acceptable? And during school hours and class time?
      Had that person not told the Herald, then the principal, superintendent, school board members and public would not have known what was happening at the school they’re in charge of and whose tax dollars pay for, and the activities would have proceeded with inappropriate student involvement.
      And what is this “free school” issue about? Which of the students and their parents are being charged to attend public schools in Antioch? Who is being threatened and with what?
      Allen Payton, Publisher

      • Loretta Sweatt says:

        I completely agree with everything you said Allen; politics has no place in schools at this grade level, and teachers must not dump their agenda and job issues onto their students; the kids are there to learn reading, writing, math, history, art, music, not politics. It might be a good idea to teach saving, stock market investments or real estate investing, but definitely not politics. Too young for that.

        • Arne says:

          The Principal should be admonished for calling a teacher’s action “a cowardly act”.

          If it were not for that teacher, we, the taxpayers, would not have known how this socialist brainwashing was being planned to take place.

          I applaud the whistle blower!!

  3. Robert says:

    Instead of being upset that someone informed the public about the activities going on at a taxpayer funded public school, this principal should be more concerned that there are teachers on his staff that are willing to abuse their position in order to use public school students to promote their political beliefs. This appears to be a direct violation of the directions given by the school board and superintendent.

  4. Robert says:

    So the teachers union at Park Middle School was instructed by the Principle, Superintendent, and the head of the School Board to not involve students in their union activities. It appears that the teachers union ignored these instructions and went ahead with their plans anyways. The Principle seems to be more upset about the information being leaked out and making the school look bad instead of being upset with those who pushed the activity that makes the school look bad. The Superintendent and the head of the School Board seem to be in the dark, make excuses, don’t actually take the time to go to the school and see what is really happening, and really don’t seem to care.

    All this leaves one with the impression the teachers union is the group running the schools here in Antioch as they feel free to go against the directions of the Superintendent and head of the School Board. Is it a wonder why employees don’t feel free to express opposing views that expose the unions blatant exploitation of students? So the real question is who is really running and accountable for what is happening at our public, taxpayer funded schools?

  5. Student says:

    I am an eight grader at park middle school in the lunch activity we asked students of theyd like to put their name on a chain and we explained to them what is was for,no one forced them to do it. And no staff or teacher was forcing politicle “propaganda” onto any of the students. It was fully optional,many children including me in middle school have politicle veiws and are more informed than adults think and no so called “propaganda” was pushed onto is.

    • Publisher says:

      Student,
      Thank you for reading and sharing your comment.
      The point is some teacher did tell you about their May 1st Day of Action and recruited you to participate in preparing for it. That’s wrong and the district superintendent specifically stated that was not to happen. It wasn’t about being forced to do anything. It shouldn’t even have been an option.
      You are misinformed as it is a political propaganda that is part of the California Teachers Association agenda.
      No doubt you have political views and that’s fine. But, please explain to us what it was in which you were participating and what message were you and other students trying to share and with whom? I’m very interested in knowing.
      I’m still confused by what the teachers are pushing, with their mish-mash of messages such as “Free Public Education is a Civil Right.” Does anyone disagree with that? Is anyone in Antioch or California being forced to pay to send their child to a public school?
      Thank you.
      Allen Payton, Publisher.

    • Robert says:

      Thank you student for voicing your take on this, but as a taxpayer who helps fund your free education, which in reality is actually taxpayer funded education, I am curious. Were you as an eights grader conducting activity this during 8th grade lunch or 6th & 7th grade lunch? Where did you get the idea to make a red chain or wear red? Were you allowed to conduct this activity instead of attending a class? Your answers will help dispel any rumors and help people understand what really happened.

    • Publisher says:

      Student,
      Also, just to help you out, here’s how you should have written your comment:
      I am an eighth grader at Park Middle School. In the lunch activity, we asked students if they’d like to put their name on a chain, and we explained to them what is was for. No one forced them to do it. And no staff or teacher was forcing political “propaganda” onto any of the students. It was fully optional. Many children including me in middle school have political views and are more informed than adults think and no, so called “propaganda” was pushed onto is.

      Hey, we all make mistakes, sometimes and when I do it, it shows up in 25,000 copies of the paper! That’s why I need to hire an editor, again. LOL
      Hope that helps. 🙂
      Allen Payton, Publisher

    • Bill says:

      Hey Student,

      Remeber,the people who comment on news stories tend to be older and a little different from the average person you meet everyday nah mean?

      Hang in there and you young people should study former movements and lead society in just a few short years. Hang in there, I felt inspired reading your comment.

      [Salute]

  6. Marty Fernandez says:

    Being a whistleblower is a perfectly legal act as is not using your name in that capacity. A whistleblowers name is never used until a certain stage in the law suit. There is usually as law suit brought by the whistleblower and I would like to see one done here. It probably won’t be though.

    Yes to the reader who asked if the teachers union is running our schools. Actually yes, yes and yes. Activism is fine but not on school property, using school proerty or using our children as part of the agenda.

  7. Michael Sagehorn says:

    Civic engagement and practicing the 1st Amendment are instructional activities. For a newspaper editor it seems odd that you advocate the idea that students, even middle school students, can’t comprehend censorship. Let it go, people.

    • Robert says:

      Just one problem with your point, the District Superintendent, Principal and School Board have already stated that this was not part of any instructional activity. Another problem is that instructional time cannot be used to push political opinions or union activities on students. Teachers 1st Amendment rights are restricted by law when it comes to proselytizing political positions to students.

      • Michael Sagehorn says:

        Is it possible that some of the students- 8th grade students are a busy bunch, may already have in their minds ideas reflective of the principles behind May Day? Over a decade ago when I taught at Park, we had children of immigrants, trade union members, and health care workers. Don’t think much has changed. Again,there are too many rules and policies about limiting 1st Amendment rights in public schools . The principal and teachers at Park are all sound educators. You try teaching middle school- it’s not for the faint of heart. They know what they are doing. Let it go.

        • Robert says:

          Is it possible that you missed the original article that had the email sent out to all Park Middle School Staff instructing staff members to tell students about and encourage them to participate in these activities.
          http://antiochherald.com/2017/04/2103ah1/

          So if we are to believe your contention that the teachers at Park Middle School “know what they are doing” then logic would dictate that that those involved in putting out this email intentionally planned to violate state law, prior court rulings covering proselytizing political positions to students and the rules put out by the superintendent and the school board. But we the people who pay for the schools and the salaries of those who work at them are supposed to just “let it go” when we see these laws meant to protect the children from being used as political pawns being ignored. Our students are required by the state to attend school. We entrust them to the school staff under the assumption that they are there to receive an education, not indoctrination based on a union’s political beliefs.

  8. Andrew S says:

    Great article Allen P:
    Our district has a lot of opportunities for improvement.
    Please keep up the good work. We need to know when the district is pulling this kind of garbage.

    • Publisher says:

      Thank you for kind words of encouragement, Andrew S.
      I frankly would rather not have to write articles such as this one, as I would hope these kind of things weren’t happening.
      But, if those who work for our local government agencies do things that are inappropriate and/or unacceptable, hopefully someone at the Herald will continue to write about them, to keep the public informed of what’s going on with their government.
      Please keep reading and commenting, and thanks for doing so.
      Allen Payton, Publisher

  9. Bill says:

    I was expecting communist hoards storming the Winter Palace gates. Nope a string of red somethings on a banister. Uhh, [rolls eyes].

    The people who called Obama a socialist are the same ones who call teachers communists. They can go on and on all they want about “students being recruited” and other nonsense. But we saw what the principal (spelled correctly) said. Students weren’t using class time. Now the commenters and apparently the publisher can move on to more important things like finding Obama’s Kenyan birth certificate, preventing white genocide, and stopping the United Nations from putting us all in FEMA camps.

    • Robert says:

      Why the deflection from the real issue? No one called the teachers communist. The issue is the CTA using public school students and public school facilities to spread their political agenda during school hours, a potential violation of state law and against the instructions of the principal, the superintendent, and the school board. The fact that they used a day, color and images historically linked to communism is secondary.
      The fact that you have to distort and deflect from what is actually being discussed is a sign of a weak argument.

  10. Lydia Vicknair says:

    I do not like your tone towards teachers, or the student who took the time to participate in a community discussion. Your condescension towards both is loud & clear. Many years in the community, and several casual run-ins have developed my opinion of the “publisher.” A simple Google search can help newcomers catch up. I suggest you find something a bit more important to do with your time.

    • Publisher says:

      Lydia Vicknair,

      Thank you for reading the Herald and for your comment, and for using your real name, I assume. By the way, I have to assume all those who comment on here, whom I don’t personally know, are who they say they are.

      First, please point out the comments I’ve made that you believe are condescending toward any teacher or the student who commented on this article. As I’m more than happy to correct anything I’m doing that may offend someone. I certainly don’t mean to be condescending in any way. But, if it’s my views that offend, so be it. That’s your or their challenge.

      I think it’s great that they commented, including the student – and again, I assume that person is actually an eighth-grade student. But, just because they may be of middle school age, I don’t believe they should have their comment go unchallenged. That’s how they learn. The fact is that student provided proof that one or more teachers ignored the directive of both the principal and superintendent, and did recruit the students to promote their political agenda, and on campus and during school hours. I also tried to help provide the student a little education in spelling, grammar and sentence structure, that they obviously didn’t receive in school. I then tried to lighten up the corrections I provide to their comment by letting them know that even as the publisher of a newspaper I need an editor to correct what I write, sometimes. That was an attempt at trying to be kind and encouraging to the student.

      My challenge is not with teachers in general, but the teacher or teachers who are more interested in taking school time to promote their political agenda and doing so with such baseless rhetoric as “Free Public Education is a Civil Right” as if anyone in Antioch or California is having to pay for the public education of students in our city or state, and using the raised fist of the various radical movements including the Communist movement in the past 100 years, instead of educating our students – when we all know how poorly they’re performing in Antioch schools. Those teachers, as I assume there were more than one, should be ashamed of themselves and need to be reminded what their job is and why they’re in the schools in the first place – to educate not indoctrinate the students – not to promote their own political agenda. They also need to be reminded that they’re our students not theirs, and that the teachers are merely agents of the parents/guardians of the students, to provide additional education to the next generation of our society, so they can be productive members of it – and not to be undermining the values they’re taught at home. The teachers are not there to produce the next generation of community organizers, activists or vandalizing protesters. So, I believe your ire is misplaced, directing it at me. It should be directed at those teachers referred to in my articles, especially if you don’t support what they tried to do, and assume it damaged the reputation of all teachers in Antioch, and somehow think that it has colored my view of teachers, as well. It didn’t. I am a product of public schools and had many great teachers, one I took two years in a row because I knew she was tough and I would learn more from her. Plus, I have relatives, including an uncle, cousins and nieces and nephews, and many friends who are or have been public school teachers. It’s a great opportunity as well as a great responsibility to do their job. I get frustrated, as do others, including their own colleagues when some teachers abuse their position and use it for the wrong reasons, as was happening at Park, and I’ve since learned, at other schools in Antioch, as well.

      Sorry, but I don’t recognize your name or your face in the photos of you I found online, and don’t remember ever having any “run-ins” with you, casual or otherwise or even meeting you, before. Your opinion of me won’t change what we decide to write about or how we cover it. We’ll continue to write and cover the stories about Antioch that we believe are of importance to the people of our community. But, I find it interesting that because you don’t like what I’ve written about or the way I’ve written it, or perhaps don’t share my views – which I only provided in my comments on here, not in the article, as I don’t allow editiorializing in news articles – you turn this into a personal thing and attempt to somehow discredit me, using the old tactic in debate known as “poisoning the well,” instead of debating the issue at hand. Worse yet, you like others across the country, are attempting to silence those in the media with whom you disagree and discourage others from reading our publication, and participating in a civil discussion about issues affecting our community. That’s rather fascist, which is just as totalitarian as being communist, don’t you think? I assume you believe in free speech like we do at the Herald, and exercise our God-given, government protected right to, as delineated in the First Amendment, every day. But, your attempt to silence me isn’t showing support for it.

      So, getting back to the discussion of this article, how about if you tell us – do you think it’s acceptable that teachers were attempting to use their time during the school day and recruiting students to support and promote their political agenda on campus, who in turn were recruiting other students to do the same? Do you agree with the messages of the California Teachers Association, using the raised fist of Communism, the Black Power and now Black Lives Matter movements, among others, and on the day celebrated by Communists for the last 100 years, and trying to get the students to wear red, the color of Communism that our grandparents and parents fought and died to defeat?

      Frankly, you should be glad the teachers/staff members informed me of what was happening at Park and other Antioch schools, and that I, in turn informed the public, so that you and they, including the school’s own principal, as well as the superintendent and school board members could be aware of it and do something to stop it before it went any further. I’d say the Herald did the community a service and fulfilled our role. Hopefully, we will continue to provide that service to cover, write about and publish those articles that are of importance to the Antioch community, regardless of what you or anyone else thinks of me or any mistakes I may have made in the past, or might make in the future. They have nothing to do with fulfilling our role and responsibility as a member of the media in our society – and that is to hold the powerful accountable and inform “we the people” of what’s going on with our government and by those who work for it and are paid by our tax dollars.

      Allen Payton, Publisher

      • Bill says:

        All Lydia did was point out your obvious condescension toward people worth opposing viewpoints. Then, your reply included something about communism, fascism, editorializing etc. Wow!

        By the way, you’re “editorializing” is evident in the way you frame your stories/comments and which stories you decide to run. But people are more sophisticated than you give us credit for, but that’s ok, you can sleep on us.

        BTW,a person on your side of the issue used “principle” incorrectly multiple times and you didn’t correct it, instead you went after a kid, but yeah…you don’t editorials at all and you just “report the facts”.

        Anyway, we all know what’s going on, we just comment for the lulz.

        • Robert says:

          Bill, please point out where something claimed in the article isn’t true.
          All you have been doing is trying to distract from the article. You haven’t once disputed the information in the article, all you do is post distractions and comments about people who post. If you have a problem with the article itself, why don’t you address that instead of bloviating about other things.

Leave a Reply to Publisher