Letter: Three Reasons Why Dave Miner Should Not Be Reelected to the School Board

In my opinion, Dave Miner has clearly failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a school board member. I am citing three reasons, among many, that should be considered when voters cast their ballots in August.

During his four-year term, Miner failed to get elected Chair of the School Board. Although not a written policy, the protocol of the past has been the Vice-Chair has generally moved up to serve as Chair the following election year. In 2014, Vice-Chair Miner failed to secure a majority vote. In 2015, Karen Carpenter was unanimously elected Chair. Miner’s failure to get elected Chair a second time as sitting Vice-Chair may be unprecedented. This situation sends a clear message of a "vote of no confidence“ in Miner by his colleague board members and the community.

At a school board meeting on January 27, 2015, Miner argued and voted against the recommendation to terminate a former Manatee High School Administrator, who had been convicted criminally of failure to report suspected child abuse. This administrator was also recommended for termination by an administrative law judge, who presided over a civil hearing on the termination recommendation. Miner’s actions in this matter are not consistent with the safety and security of students – a responsibility of every employee and board member.

Before his election to the board in 2012, Miner proclaimed himself as public advocate for transparency and enforcement of Sunshine Laws. However, voters should be reminded that during his term, "The Watchdog“ failed to comply to several public records requests for his work related emails, texts, documents, etc. One such request resulted in a lengthy law suit that resulted in thousands of dollars of unnecessary legal fees - wasted taxpayer dollars.

Elected officials are to serve their constituency as a whole. They are not elected to support their own personal agenda or the agenda of a smaller circle of influencers. In my opinion, Miner has failed repeatedly to represent his constituency when it counted the most. Please remember that when you cast your vote.

Rick Mills