the editorial in the Trib tonight is superb

But it totally misses the point.

With regard to respect for teachers, and for the integrity of the grading process, the editor said all the right things, and said them extremely well.

On the subject of Everitt's lack of candor, unwillingness to produce any evidence for the board to examine, and the subject of the audit; the editor wrote,

"It is so disturbing because, as Board of Education member Marty Esquivel says, "None of this business passes the sniff test." He wants an independent review, as the "only way to re-establish credibility with the community.""

"No argument there..." the editor writes.

• Except for the argument from Robert Lucero dismissing the audit as "grandstanding".
• Except for Paula Maes who is running from independent audits like her reputation and her seat on the board depended on it.
• Except for the Modral law firm; anxious to avoid an audit of their relationship with the leadership of the APS.
• And except for Elizabeth Everitt who is also running from independent audits like her job depended on it.

Does this editor really not know that there is a winners take all battle on the board, over the subject of independent audits and honest transparent accountability?

There are only two kinds of people in the leadership of the APS;

Those who are willing to hold themselves accountable for their conduct and competence as public servants; and are willing to prove same by submitting to independent impartial audits of their public service.

And those who are not willing to be held accountable for their conduct and competence as public servants; and are willing to do fight against impartial audits like their jobs depended on it.

According to Ayn Rand, Edmund Burke, and countless others, there is no third type; because those who claim allegiance to neither good nor evil; side automatically with evil.

Winner take all.

If Marty Esquivel, Gordon Rowe and their supporters prevail; there will be honest accountability in the leadership of the APS, and the corrupt and criminally incompetent will be driven from the leadership of the APS.

If Paula Maes/Modral, Robert Lucero, and their supporters prevail; there will be the continued covert, often illegal, and totally unethical evasion of accountability by the leadership of the APS; even to the law. The corrupt, the incompetent, and those who will accept their incompetence and corruption will prevail, and those with real honor and courage and character will be driven out of the leadership of the APS;

and out their schools, and out their classrooms as well.


If this editor really wants to get behind teachers,
and students, and real positive reform
in the Albuquerque Public Schools;

S/he needs to get behind the full scale cleansing audit
of the leadership of the APS.


There is no equivalent gesture.