Sarasota School Board member Caroline Zucker politically attacks fellow board member during public meeting

For a larger view click on the infographic.

Sarasota County Florida School Board member Bridget Ziegler introduced board agenda item # 7 for discussion during the official Sarasota County School Board workshop meeting held on October 21st, 2014. The item addresses the workshop meetings the school board holds off camera in a small room to discuss specific agenda items (see infographic on right). Ziegler wants the entire meeting, including workshops, televised in the name of government transparency. The meeting and discussion quickly turns political.

During the off line, but public, workshop board member Caroline Zucker attacks fellow school board member Ziegler about her campaign contributions. In the room during the workshop was Ken Marsh, Ziegler’s opponent for the District 1 seat. Marsh was subsequently defeated during the November 4th mid-term election. Ziegler stresses (multiple times) that the workshop is an inappropriate venue for conversations about her campaign while they are supposed to be discussing taxpayer issues concerning education.

Many question what does a discussion about school board transparency have to do with Ziegler’s campaign?

Board member Brown then says being away from the cameras is “the only way to have a candid conversation.” Brown talks about Ziegler’s campaign website. Zucker and Brown appear not to want to meet in the sunshine, i.e. be live on television for their “candid discussions.” Brown states 30% of Sarasotans don’t care about public schools. Superintendent Lori White does not want these meetings televised because “staff can’t get lunch or take a break.” White says “we don’t have enough staff to do the two shifts.” White says she likes it the way it is.

Brown then attacks Ziegler because the issue of holding workshop meeting in public is on her campaign website as an issue of concern. Brown then accuses Ziegler of wanting transparency from the board but not herself, because she will not release her donor list. Brown states sunshine laws “tie her hands.” Brown wants the board to come together, but does not want to do it in the open, live and on air.

Brown wants the board to come together but bullies a school board member at this meeting. Are diverse views not welcomed by Brown and Zucker?

Brown, Zucker and Superintendent White do not appear to want government transparency. Ziegler does. Listen to the entire discussion of the meeting:

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