In a letter to the editor, Hoboken resident Kevin Davis gives his take on why the “Leadership that Listens” board of education slate should’ve picked a better name.
Dear Editor,
Did you know that the slate that supports our current school board leadership is calling themselves “Leadership That Listens” (LTL)?
Ironically, this is the same group of people that didn’t listen to the community when they tried to quietly push through a $241 million high school bond this last January.
Part of being a leader who listens is listening to people who disagree with you.
After publishing a letter criticizing candidate Leslie Norwood, I and other Kids First supporters were blocked by her on Facebook.
Perhaps they should call their slate, Leadership That Blocks You on Facebook.
Part of being a school board member is not taking criticism related to your public policy positions personally.
In the press release announcing her candidacy, Norwood stated: “The January referendum process needed more transparency and community outreach.”
Voters should know that during the referendum, Leslie Norwood was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Vote Yes side.
She gave a speech at the December 2021 school meeting in favor of the bond, signed onto a flier as a Vote Yes supporter with 109 other supporters, and gave a statement in support of the referendum for a Hoboken Girl article.
How are we supposed to believe that Ms. Norwood had a problem with the referendum process when she was a vocal supporter?
Ms. Norwood is not the only member of the LTL ticket who supported the referendum, Antonio Graña was the leader of the Friends of the New Hoboken High School group that pushed for a yes vote.
How are we supposed to believe that he is going to listen to the 65% of voters that voted against the referendum, when he was the leader of the 35% that voted yes?
Another reason to be skeptical of the LTL ticket is that Board Member Alex De La Torre is on the LTL ticket. Mr. De La Torre and his colleagues were silent about their plans to build a new high school on JFK field for three years.
De La Torre has never voted against any resolutions during his entire tenure on the school board.
How are we supposed to believe the LTL slate when they have a record of listening only to their people? Perhaps they should be called the Leadership That Only Listens to Themselves ticket.
Kevin Davis
Hoboken resident