Dear Editor,
I had originally planned on responding to all the issues
surrounding the selection of our new board member, but the Dispatch
editorial last Friday adequately addressed the issues of the
appropriateness of screening questions and the merit of the
question asked.
Dear Editor,
I had originally planned on responding to all the issues surrounding the selection of our new board member, but the Dispatch editorial last Friday adequately addressed the issues of the appropriateness of screening questions and the merit of the question asked.
The editorial also highlighted the important point: Gilroy Unified School District selected a highly qualified individual to fill the seat of the late Dr. TJ Owens. The editorial was excellent.
However, there are lingering issues that occurred after the selection process that continue to trouble me. I am very concerned about applicant Bob Heisey’s allegation of racism and his reaction to not being selected. Specifically, there are two issues that deeply trouble me.
First, it was reported to me that immediately following the board vote a staff member approached Mr. Heisey in order to congratulate him on a job well done and to introduce him to a group of parents. These parents are officers of the district’s English Learners Advisory Committee, who were at the special meeting to become familiar with how decisions are made in the district so that they can be better equipped to fulfill their leadership responsibilities. As soon as the staff member approached Mr. Heisey, he responded in an agitated and defensive manner stating he didn’t appreciate “her” question and continued to point his finger in an accusatory way asking what she was going to do about the achievement gap.
Shocked, she explained that she didn’t write the question that he so angrily objected to. The staff member happens to be Hispanic and felt very offended by the allegation. It would be wise for Mr. Heisey to reflect on his behavior before accusing others of being racist. That form of stereotyping can only result in further dividing our community and is not the behavior this community expects of its leaders. What example was displayed for these parents who hope to fully participate in GUSD for the betterment of their children?
Second, as a member of the Hispanic community, I am outraged by Mr. Heisey’s comment in Thursday’s Dispatch article stating, “I will never look at the Hispanic community the same after last night.” What does that mean? Does he hold the Hispanic community in less regard? What does it mean about his further interaction with Hispanic staff, parents and students?
I am having a difficult time resolving these two issues and I am certain many Hispanic families that have children in our district will not be able to bring closure to these issues until an explanation to the community is provided.
Edwin Diaz, Superintendent, GUSD
