If new DeKalb board member wants to go to mat, do it for kids, not background check

I appreciate political gadflies. Most reporters do.

In my 30 years of covering local government in three states, I've seen some notable gadflies in action. Gadflies enliven dull county commission meetings. They provide great quotes to perk up a school board story. They infuse drama into budget hearings.

Credit: Maureen Downey

Credit: Maureen Downey

Here’s what they often don’t do: Accomplish anything of note.

Because when you're always battling, you aren't building. It takes consensus-building to get things done. Shaking your fist in the air is not as effective as extending your hand.

Stan Jester ought to keep that in mind. Channel 2 Action News reports the new DeKalb school board member challenged fingerprinting and background checking administered via the school district.

Jester said he completed a police background check before Christmas, sent the report to the board chair, and posted it on his website. You can read his explanation on his website and other defenses of his stand on DeKalb School Watch.

But here is the essence of Jester’s argument from his site:

There is no requirement in DeKalb policy or Georgia state law that I provide my fingerprints to the school district; and

It is a bold conflict of interest to be investigated by the agency I am elected to oversee.

I hope you will join me in understanding this is an attempt to quiet someone who will ask critical questions. If you are dedicated to fiscal stewardship and improving the educational lives of DeKalb's children, I hope that you will join me in rejecting these bullying tactics.

I look forward to working collaboratively with all board members and staff that are dedicated to providing the most effective education to our children and conservative financial stewardship to our taxpayers. Together, we can improve the educational lives of our children.

I understand there are community members in DeKalb urging Jester to storm “the palace.” In his tenure on the school board, I also encourage Jester to ask critical questions.

However, those questions ought to center on critical issues -- issues that impact DeKalb students and school quality.

A routine criminal record check -- standard now for new school board members in many states -- is not among them.

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