(Hour 3a) We were surprised to hear about the actions of Manchester School Board member John Avard’s actions on a Facebook page he startedback in April.
Ask the School Board became a very popular FB Group during the Jewett Street School redistricting controversy.
But it seems that questions on the Manchester Academic Standards by citizens and “lobbyists” are irking Avard, who is banning members and removing their posts. Say it ain’t so, John!
I was invited by Hollis/Brookline residents to join their face book page to weigh in on discussions on Common Core.
I joined the fb page several months ago and added to the conversations. There were a few pro-Common Core supporters who attempted to get me banned from the fb page, however the administrator did not side with them.
Instead the conversations continued and both pro-and con shared their opinions, facts, information, etc..
An open exchange of information on this subject should be encourage. What I’m finding is that there are some who want to censor or shut out opinions that counter their own.
In Wakefield their School Board Chair frequently asks for the public to weigh in during school board meetings and does not put a timer on them. ie…he wants to hear ALL opinions/information so he can be better informed when he makes his decisions.
I sent a request to join the Manchester fb page several months ago but was never granted permission to join. I’m not a Manchester resident, but neither are some of the people who were granted access by Avard.
I can understand an Admin. wanting to keep the exchange respectful and focused on the issue.
It’s a shame that information and opinions cannot be freely shared in that forum.
You know it’s funny. This show has been accused of giving one side of various stories, despite having invited all sides of all issues and censoring only those very few comments that have been profanity laced tirades devoid of any redeeming value. We welcome opposing views in the hopes that they will broaden the discussion, inform the dialogue, and assist our audience in its efforts to come to its own conclusion. Then we have what’s been exposed here, which is nothing short of an abdication of the roles and responsibilities of elected officials. Truly astounding.
When I had a FB account I was on the Ask The School Board page. I took myself off of the page even before I deleted my account because so many people were just so rude & insulting. Some of the more aggressive people on the page would verbally attack people if they had a different opinion as them.
I know Dr. Avard had reminded people that were part of the group on more than 1 occasion of what the page was intented for. All I think Dr. Avard asks for is that people be respectful & polite to 1 another while discussing the issues.
Actually, Chrissy, this is exactly what Avard posted:
John Avard
July 25 at 12:03pm
This page is no a lobby platform. I have been lenient about posts regarding Manchester Academic Standards, because I believe that the public should be able to voice their opinion. I do not, however, wish to see this page used as a means of lobbying 771 members, many of whom are on opposing sides of the discussion. Please refer to the pinned post regarding the intent of this page.
It appears as if he suddenly is not interested in the group being lobbied by people he doesn’t agree with and whose questions he can’t honestly answer without looking foolish. That group has always had people “lobby” for their point of view. That he’d post this is preposterous!
Thanks for your comments.