Community Commentary:

As a teacher of United States government and advanced placement government at Crescenta Valley High School, I have the privilege of discussing both historical and current issues. Central to all discussions in both classes is democracy and the power that we as individuals have in a democracy. In the midst of an especially thrilling year teaching this content, it was tragic to see that the current school board officials here in Glendale do not value the very democratic system I have been teaching to my students.

In the Dec. 2 article “School incumbents show united front,” trustees Chakib Sambar, Joylene Wagner and Greg Krikorian attempted to hijack the democratic process when they suggested that no one run against them for the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education.

Now, there is nothing wrong with these incumbents supporting one another’s candidacies by running on a slate together, but to ask that Glendale residents be denied the right to a free and open election is simply undemocratic.

If the board members want to pat each other on the back and treat this important elected leadership position as a “good old boys club,” that is their prerogative. But their laissez-faire style of administering our schools has brought about havoc and disarray. Never has an elected body given so much power away to staff than has this board. The term “rubber stamp” doesn’t do justice to the amount of authority that this board has deferred to the superintendent and his staff.

Nevertheless, if they want to abdicate their responsibility that has been given to them by the citizens of Glendale, it is their right to do so. What is not acceptable is the fact that the current school board incumbents up for reelection asked Glendale for an uncontested election.

Sambar, Wagner and Krikorian’s request showed contempt for the very values I am charged as a history instructor to teach my students. For school board members to even hint that their current positions be held for them as if by royal right is not only unconscionable, it is antithetical to the very system of public education that they are charged with upholding.

The question is why? Perhaps they are worried that they have alienated the citizens of this city as they have alienated some of the dedicated teachers of Glendale schools. Perhaps they are afraid that the change demanded by the citizens of this country is going to be demanded by their constituents in Glendale.

Whatever their motives, there is never a good reason to toss out our democratic principles.

Obviously, this has been bothering me for some time and I had decided to let it go until board member Mary Boger had to chime in on the debate in her commentary “Setting facts straight on the school board” (Community Commentary, Feb. 21). For Boger to come into the mix and support her fellow school board members just reinforces the reality of the “good old boys club” that exists. It is hurting the leadership and our schools. It is time to stop patting each other on the back and start challenging each other to lead.

The voters of Glendale must protect the integrity of our schools. We cannot allow self-appointed despots to continue a rubber-stamp philosophy of maintaining power. Change their “approved” ink to “rejected.” Wake up and tell these incumbents that you value democracy — vote them out.

 ALICIA HARRIS is a Sherman Oaks resident.