Process to ‘Grade’ Candidates Is Not True Reflection of Beliefs & Stances - By: Narda Chisholm-Green, Sharon Tanenbaum Kraus and Carey P. Smith
Because we are a part of this wonderful community where so many volunteer their time and give back wholeheartedly, we want to collectively share a statement in regards to the SOMA Justice and PARES scorecard to be released in the near future.
Together and unplanned, Narda Chisholm-Greene, Sharon Tanenbaum Kraus, and Carey Smith have not completed the scorecard questionnaire put forth by SOMA Justice and PARES for the 2019 Board of Education election in South Orange and Maplewood.
We believe that the process to “grade” each candidate is not a true and honest reflection of any candidates’ beliefs and stances. According to the instructions shared, the grading is done by individuals who are not a part of our community. We want to be scored by our neighbors and our students—not strangers. As every year has proven, independent candidates not backed by SOMA Justice and/or PARES or those groups’ leaders have not fared well in the scorecard.
Instead we offer our individual platforms, our responses during the numerous debates and forums in October and November, and our discussions with you, our peers and neighbors.
We anticipate that our decisions may bring backlash and continued online bullying. But as individual candidates, we have all pledged to be accountable and transparent, and, with that, we want to share our own personal statements.
Narda Chisholm-Greene: To SOMA Justice and PARES Committee
The questionnaire presented by SOMA Justice and PARES was not completed on my behalf because I sincerely do not believe that my responses would have been fairly assessed by non-community members. I do however stand firm on my belief in my platform as an advocate for all children of this district.
I invite our neighbors and students to take the time to speak with me directly, attend any debates or watch previous ones, as well as visit my website Nardaforboe.com to learn more about me.
As the discussion around “Special Interest” groups has garnered attention; I would like to be clear that I respectfully appreciate all voices and will actively listen to all voices. However, I will not be bought or bossed by any groups.
In a community that embraces all and appreciates all; I want us to focus on rallying around our children to ensure they get the best education and support our tax dollars can buy.
Let’s bring SOMSD together and make it the most sought after school district in the country.
Thank you!
Together and unplanned, Narda Chisholm-Greene, Sharon Tanenbaum Kraus, and Carey Smith have not completed the scorecard questionnaire put forth by SOMA Justice and PARES for the 2019 Board of Education election in South Orange and Maplewood.
We believe that the process to “grade” each candidate is not a true and honest reflection of any candidates’ beliefs and stances. According to the instructions shared, the grading is done by individuals who are not a part of our community. We want to be scored by our neighbors and our students—not strangers. As every year has proven, independent candidates not backed by SOMA Justice and/or PARES or those groups’ leaders have not fared well in the scorecard.
Instead we offer our individual platforms, our responses during the numerous debates and forums in October and November, and our discussions with you, our peers and neighbors.
We anticipate that our decisions may bring backlash and continued online bullying. But as individual candidates, we have all pledged to be accountable and transparent, and, with that, we want to share our own personal statements.
Narda Chisholm-Greene: To SOMA Justice and PARES Committee
The questionnaire presented by SOMA Justice and PARES was not completed on my behalf because I sincerely do not believe that my responses would have been fairly assessed by non-community members. I do however stand firm on my belief in my platform as an advocate for all children of this district.
I invite our neighbors and students to take the time to speak with me directly, attend any debates or watch previous ones, as well as visit my website Nardaforboe.com to learn more about me.
As the discussion around “Special Interest” groups has garnered attention; I would like to be clear that I respectfully appreciate all voices and will actively listen to all voices. However, I will not be bought or bossed by any groups.
In a community that embraces all and appreciates all; I want us to focus on rallying around our children to ensure they get the best education and support our tax dollars can buy.
Let’s bring SOMSD together and make it the most sought after school district in the country.
Thank you!
statement about the Grading practices in the report card:
As you know, all the candidates that did not respond to the questionnaire received an “F”. In previous years, any candidate that did not respond received a “N/A”. The instructions also state that “Late submissions will not be reviewed, included or shared with the public.” There is nothing in the report card that any non-response will result in the grade of “F”.
The instructions for the report card also state, “we invite you to participate”. There is nothing about candidates being “required” to respond or whether to inform Jane if the candidate decided not to respond to the questionnaire.
It seems that all the decisions being made by Jane, SOMA Justice and PARES, whom Jane works for, are being made in response to a decision made by three candidates.
This is hardly an impartial process. Not to mention that for the third year in a row, candidates supported by SOMA Justice and PARES have scored A’s on an “anonymous” report card process.
In my opinion, and I am writing this as an individual and not representing any other candidate, this demonstrates bias on the part of SOMA Justice and PARES and is the main reason I did not participate in the report card in the first place.
It also seems like the decision to give the four candidates an F was in direct response to the candidates’ decision not to participate. This is like political and social blackmail and shaming from a group that claims to be about equity and inclusion.
As I stated before, I look forward to working with my community and neighbors to ensure all our children have the support, resources and education they deserve.
I hope the Village Green has the time to look into this process more deeply. My fear is that the truly independent candidates in our towns have no chance in elections as long as certain groups are permitted to conduct themselves in this manner without repercussions.
Regards,
Narda Chisholm-Greene
The instructions for the report card also state, “we invite you to participate”. There is nothing about candidates being “required” to respond or whether to inform Jane if the candidate decided not to respond to the questionnaire.
It seems that all the decisions being made by Jane, SOMA Justice and PARES, whom Jane works for, are being made in response to a decision made by three candidates.
This is hardly an impartial process. Not to mention that for the third year in a row, candidates supported by SOMA Justice and PARES have scored A’s on an “anonymous” report card process.
In my opinion, and I am writing this as an individual and not representing any other candidate, this demonstrates bias on the part of SOMA Justice and PARES and is the main reason I did not participate in the report card in the first place.
It also seems like the decision to give the four candidates an F was in direct response to the candidates’ decision not to participate. This is like political and social blackmail and shaming from a group that claims to be about equity and inclusion.
As I stated before, I look forward to working with my community and neighbors to ensure all our children have the support, resources and education they deserve.
I hope the Village Green has the time to look into this process more deeply. My fear is that the truly independent candidates in our towns have no chance in elections as long as certain groups are permitted to conduct themselves in this manner without repercussions.
Regards,
Narda Chisholm-Greene