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The School Board Choice is Clear
A perspective from Bonnie Hauser
Politics are on overdrive in the Orange County School Board Runoff Election. Divisive rhetoric, false narratives, and personal attacks have become the norm. After proudly serving our community and schools for years, it is no longer possible to remain silent.
As the daughter of an Auschwitz survivor and Holocaust educator, I encourage kids to notice how words and ideas are used to sow division, bridge differences and counter or condone bullying. That applies to the hurtful propaganda that’s being used in this election. One reason I’m pursuing the runoff is to counter the false narratives that started in the primary.
Here’s the basics. I’m a Democrat- with a strong progressive track record – based in diversity, equity, and inclusion, including respect for differences. I dislike partisan agendas and extremism, especially when it comes to kids and schools. In my non-partisan school board role, I serve everyone.
To help voters, I published my voting record on equity and inclusion, and other important factors that were misrepresented during the primary. I built my reputation by showing up and engaging on behalf of students, teachers, and families. I am proud of my work on the school board and I’m counting on voters to re-elect me in the runoff.
Then the plot twist.
After an investigative report from the News and Observer, my former colleague and opponent admitted that she does not have a doctorate and resigned from the board. This admission comes after years of misleading families and teachers, fellow board members and the community-at-large. There are still questions about her life coaching company – Lennix James/James Lennix Foundation – and its dealings with Orange County Schools. This may not be over.
For the May 14th runoff, Ms. Moore will be on the ballot. She has said that she will not take her seat if she is re-elected, even though it is her right to do so. Here’s how progressive extremists spin it: “Vote for Moore’s ideals and values”. They are asking voters to look past faked credentials and years of deliberate lies so that the board can appoint Moore’s replacement.
This confusing progressive narrative is coupled with mean-spirited propaganda and unfounded personal attacks. First they mislabel me “Conservative”. I’m not. Then they add racist”, “dishonest”, “deceptive”, even “Neo Nazi”, and other terms that dehumanize me and disparage my years of service to our schools and community. Ugly words; no evidence. This may be common in politics, but not in our community. We teach our children to tell the truth and not bully. Our children are watching.
The bottom line. High quality public education in safe, inclusive schools that serve every student is a fundamental value that is shared throughout our community — across cultures, race, and political views. Equity is integral to this work. Everyone on our school board believes this.
That leaves voters with a simple choice. Elect someone who is proven to be accessible, and openly serves every student, family, and teacher with respect, honor, and integrity. Or not.
I am grateful to everyone who has endured this with me. We are on the right path. Now please get out and vote. Our kids are counting on us.
Bonnie Hauser is on the Orange County School Board and is running for re-election in the May 14th runoff.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
The writer is absolutely right that ugly rhetoric has no place in building community dialogue…but much commentary in the “public square” is not “divisive rhetoric”. Sometimes its an expression of real concern…or even important criticism. If one is going to participate in the public form of policy making, one should, I think, be ready to contemplate sincere commentary as the legitimate concerns of others and reflect on how one can “do better”, rather than brush it under the rug with sweeping labels intended to delegitimize it.
My personal experience with the candidate is that she 1) Nurtures a circle of insiders with a well developed agenda, and 2) Is very comfortable using tactical rather than substantive methods to champion that agenda on behalf of that inner circle.
That is my personal experience. It tracks with some of the concerns I have heard about the candidate as a potential school board member. This essay tries to delegitimize those stakeholders. The “serve everybody” statement doesnt track with that. If some stakeholders are the legitimate ones and some are not…who is the “everybody” in that pledge?
Bonnie is the most accessible board member. She puts her personal cell phone number out there for everyone.