Grand Rapids :: May 6 election

The Grand Rapids Education Association--the union representing the teachers--has endorsed Tony Baker, Gordon Griffin, and Derrick Martin for the board because, according to the union's website, they understand "workplace loyalty."

The reality is, the GREA is opposing one-time endorsed (and financially supported) candidates who are seeking cost containment and sweeping reforms for the district.

The union is out for a good settlement for its members, regardless of the financial health of the district or what impact the settlement would have on resources for student learning.  Hence, the support of the three individuals mentioned above.  Or, as our mailing says, "union bosses think those candidates will carry their water and derail the current reform efforts."

That being the case, Education Action Group is posing this question to voters of the district and citizens of the community in general, "Taxpayers or union bosses?"  We also challenge the community with two other questions, "Who do you think should control the school board?  Should union bosses call the shots?"

Below is a photo of the billboard:

A mailing also went out to 5,000 households in the district to expose the reasons the GREA has endorsed candidates and what they hope to gain by electing certain candidates.  PDFs of the postcard can be seen here: front and back.

One candidate in particular, Derrick Martin, was a candidate "the [GREA] office has been unofficially considering...for some time," according to an e-mail obtained by MEAexposed.  Another communication shows coordination between Martin and Paul Helder, the president of the union.

Are there sensible candidates running?  The Grand Rapids Press thinks so and editorialized on the subject recently.  The Press wades through the back-and-forth and provides a well-reasoned analysis.