However in an interview with NorwalkNet this afternoon Ms. Sikorski, a Wilton resident who retired in 2008 after teaching for more than 30 years in Norwalk public schools, said that she has no direct knowledge of such endorsements. "I was told about this by some parents, and I believed them," she said.
Both the NEF and PTO Council have given strong statements to The Hour denying they have made any endorsements:
"We have never done it before and will never do it," said [NEF President] Lauren Rosato. "That's not our mission; we're a non profit charity. We do not endorse candidates."In her conversation with NorwalkNet Ms. Sikorski said that she also opposes the PTO Council and NEF playing any role in co-sponsoring the BOE candidates debate being organized by the League of Women Voters.
. . .
"We have sent out e-mails about debates and community conversations and encouraged people to participate, but it's just passing along information," said [PTO Council Treasurer] Jennifer Covello. "We're not endorsing candidates. We're just endorsing people (the public) to get informed."
"It's not within their purview to do that," she said. "When your're involved in an organization nurturing parents or supporting teachers politics should not be there in the middle of all of that . Their focus should be on the curriculum and being emmeshed in the life of the school."
While I admire Ms. Sikorski's passion and long commitment to Norwalk public schools I am dismayed that she took it upon herself to write such a strong letter without verifying the underlying facts first hand.
She obviously has a different point of view on the scope of the PTO and NEF's involvement in BOE debates. I personally find it a bit old fashioned. There is nothing wrong with non-profits providing a forum for discussion. As a parent that's exactly what I would expect them to do.
I have called the PTO Council and NEF to get their comments and will update the story as I hear from them.
Here is Ms. Sikorski's letter:
To the Editor:
As a Norwalk public school retired teacher and former president of the PTO, I believe that the endorsement of political candidates by the PTO Council and the Norwalk Education Foundation is unethical.
Who has the right to endorse specific candidates? Certainly, the individual political parties and their affiliates would be great spokesmen.
Should the PTO Council and the Norwalk Education Found-ation be in the campaign business? I personally do not think so. When I was president of the PTO Council, I was told that the organization had to be totally apolitical.
Why are parents receiving e-mails from PTOs extolling the virtues of political candidates for Board of Education seats. The NEF's sole responsibility is to assist teachers' initiatives by providing funding, not supporting political candidates, which risks their 501C3 standing as a nonprofit organization. The NEF has also taken on the crusade of being a watchdog of the board; this role is also inappropriate. These two organizations should not be political organizers for any party or candidate; their primary focus should be on the students and teachers of the Norwalk public school district.
Irene Sikorski, Wilton
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As for Ms Sikorski's letter, all I can say is consider the source. I wouldn't give it a second thought.
ReplyDeleteWhile I thank Ms Sikorski for her 40 year service to our district’s children, I would have thought that she would have checked her facts before writing such a public letter to the editor. Also, it is important to note that this ‘debate’ was positioned more as a town hall style meeting and had 2 Mayoral candidates and 4 District E common council candidates, whom I think, might just feel slighted at not being mentioned, given their decision to participate on what is a very heated topic in town. I think it is extremely healthy for the citizens of Norwalk to have this sort of public dialogue…for surely we ALL own a piece of the education pie. Politicians, BOE members, parents, teachers, unions, after school program providers, as well as, the local business community, all need to take some degree of ownership and responsibility for moving the education agenda forward for our children in Norwalk. If not as local residents, then as Americans. It is a shame that the conversations and forums have only recently started taking place amongst the various stakeholders, due to it being an election year and our search for a new superintendent. Leadership, communication and teamwork is what this district needs more of going forward. But, on a brighter note, I believe we might be getting ahead of the curve, on what will certainly be our nation’s next reform agenda.
ReplyDeleteI have taken a leave of absence as President of the Norwalk PTO Council. I have taken no part in the execution or communications regarding any Board of Education public forums; the remaining PTO Council Executive Board members have continued working hard to promote the mission of the PTO Council, namely, “to serve as a resource for parents and the community on educational issues, and to maximize opportunities for communication between parents, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members, government officials and the general public.”.
ReplyDeleteI wish Sue Haynie were more explicit in her response. Is she telling us that the PTO Council Executive Board and the Norwalk Education Fund have NOT done what Ms Sikorski charged? That is my interpretation of what Mrs. Haynie is saying, but I'd like to be sure.
ReplyDeleteThe word apolitical means having no interest or involvement in political affairs, and that is just short-sighted. Maybe Ms. Sikorski erred in her choice of words. The PTO Council and the NEF should be non-partisan, which is quite different from being apolitical. They ought not to divorce themselves from the political process, and that includes their sponsorship of forums for candidates to present and to debate their views. As far as I can determine, both groups have been non-partisan.
If Irene Sikorski has maligned the PTO Council and the NEF by making an accusation without first checking the facts (or her dictionary), she owes the Norwalk community a public apology.
"Leadership, communication and teamwork is what this district needs more of going forward. But, on a brighter note, I believe we might be getting ahead of the curve, on what will certainly be our nation’s next reform agenda". Think Lisa may be on to something here.
ReplyDeleteI know Irene, who was an efective PTA council president, and think maybe she's taken leave of her senses. The Council co-sponsored the BOE debates for years, this is a real service to the community. Also, a chance for the parents to ask questions of candidates prior to election.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there is nothing wrong with NEF taking an active role on issues, and acting as an advocate in non-partisan fashion. This is what education foundations do across the county, and it can be very effective.
To be more explicit, as requested by the poster above, please see the attached Hour article for further clarification:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thehour.com/story/476930