School Decision Brings Out the Worst in Some

(Aired on February 24, 2010)

You may be disappointed expecting the best in people, but you'll never be disappointed preparing for the worst.  That message was driven home loud and clear shortly after this week's school board meeting.

The board had just finished the agonizing process of voting to close three elementary schools in the city.  Some parents were disappointed, others relieved that their schools were spared.

I was conducting an interview with Chair Ken Christian in a mostly empty board room, when I heard a commotion behind me.  Someone was shouting.  It turns out a parent had stayed behind, and had found Trustee Kathleen Karpuk.  She was berating Karpuk for the board's decision that night, shouting at the top her lungs.  Karpuk has recently had a child, and while she could easily have taken the meeting off with a very good reason, she decided to be there for the difficult process of decision-making.

The key here is that Trustee Karpuk was holding her newborn child while being verbally attacked by the parent.  The incident was extremely upsetting, and I left feeling slightly shaken.

I realize that the decisions made by the board made some people angry.  I realize that some hold the local trustees directly responsible for the current situation.  That's fine - they're elected, though their real power is debatable considering the constraints placed on them by Slash Gordon and the Liberal government.

To shout at an individual trustee while she holds her newborn child crosses way over the line.  It's rude, it's classless and it makes me wonder if we will get any quality candidates in the next municipal election.