School board member faces calls to resign for saying best quality new ... trends now
A Kansas school board member is under fire and facing calls to resign after saying the best quality in a new superintendent would be 'blue eyes,' sparking outrage among many parents and staff members.
Vanessa Reid, a board member with Leavenworth school district made the remark during a special school board meeting last month whose agenda was to discuss the hiring of a new superintendent. The current superintendent Mike Roth will be retiring in January 2024.
After the controversial remark Reid said 'I'm just kidding... trying to break it up a little bit, you know,' but many didn't buy the explanation and are now calling for her resignation.
Courtney Ricard, the PTO president at David Brewer Elementary School was one of the board members infuriated. She told the Kansas City Star that Reid's comment was 'racist,' and cited her behavior as 'immature and unprofessional.'
Ricard was also made furious by a comment Kansas Republican state Republican Pat Proctor made during a recent school visit. After viewing some of the fourth grade student's artwork, including Ricard's daughter's rainbow flag, he said the school library 'was doing more indoctrinating than educating.'
Vanessa Reid, a board member with Leavenworth school district made the comment during a school board meeting last month that angered parents and school members
Kansas State Republican Pat Proctor made a remark during a visit to the school's library on a rainbow flag drawing created by Ricard's daughter as evidence that the library was 'doing more indoctrinating than educating'
The theme of the art work: 'My School Library is for Every Student' asking fourth grade students to draw who is welcome at the school library and Ricard's daughter drew a rainbow flag (pictured)
Mike Roth, the current superintendent of the Leavenworth school district will be retiring by the end of the year.
Proctor said Reid's 'tough questions finally forced the exit of failing Leavenworth superintendent Mike Roth.'
But, Board President Judith Price addressed the claims saying Roth's 'announcement was for a long-planned retirement and is not in reaction to anything else.'
'Dr. Roth is well-regarded by a majority of the board and was offered an extended contract.'
'Roth will continue to serve through December, to help with the transition of the new superintendent, who will join the district in July,' Price said.
'Neither of those actions indicate the board is actively trying to dismiss or force his exit. Quite the contrary.'
The school board voted 5-2 to appoint Kellen Adams, the superintendent in Chanute, Kansas, who is white, as the district's next leader on Monday.
However, Reid and another school board member Alisa Murphy voted no.
Reid has also been accused of helping Proctor, who was elected in 2021, and other conservative newbies get their agenda out, including at the school board level.
'Vanessa is committed to putting kids and parents ahead
