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June 12, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Asking someone their stance on an isolated ballot issue during a job interview is at least unfair and at most unethical.
Last year during public School Board interviews, City Council member Dennis Ayres referenced a referendum that if approved (it subsequently was) would place the issue of whether a School Board member should be appointed or elected, and then requested every School Board candidate reveal their stance on the issue, even though it has no relation whatsoever to school district administration. No City Council member has suggested — at least on the record — that Mr. Ayres’ line of questioning was improper.
Nevertheless, every School Board candidate answered the question. Two candidates stated Board members should be appointed. One candidate — Mary Beth Manjerovic - stated they should be elected.
Council member Ayres vehemently disagreed with Ms. Manjerovic. He said an elected school board would be a “disaster.” He said “crackpots” and “crazy people” would “wind up” on the School Board if voters —not City Council — were in charge. Throughout and following Mr. Ayres outburst City Council remained silent. They all subsequently voted with Mr. Ayres to appoint the two people who answered his question to his satisfaction.
Mary Beth Manjerovic has once again applied for appointment to the Lexington School Board. Her professional background is spotless. Her integrity is beyond approach. Most importantly, her frank statements warrant a critical comparison to other candidates and current School Board members. Her appointment to the School Board would reflect a willingness to recognize diverse beliefs and viewpoints on a School Board that is virtually homogenous in its ideology and philosophy.
Our City Council treated Ms. Manjerovic unfairly a year ago. Remarkably so. City Council should do the right thing and appoint Mary Beth Manjerovic to the Lexington School Board. MARK H. REED Lexington
