I am a long time Durango resident with children of varying ages who have attended public, charter and private schools in Durango. Our local school board elections have once again strayed from being about the students and become politicized.
Pearl Stegner has called her opponent’s campaign a smear and accused opponents of slander. “Slander” and “smear campaign” by definition are false information that has been presented in order to discredit a candidate. However, the only information presented is the use of Stegner’s own words from her scrubbed and hidden blog posts. These troubling posts paint a candidate who is not interested in working for all students in the district and conversely name calls those she feels don’t align with her own personal beliefs, labeling anyone who disagrees with her as “nasty” and calling children “weirdos” for exercising their own rights to speak out.
The constitutional first amendment clause that protects Stegner’s right to free speech and to practice the religion of her choice is the same clause that prohibits public schools from promoting or practicing religion. Schools must maintain neutrality among faiths and Stegner’s push to bring her own religious beliefs into the school board is misplaced.
Stegner chose not to attend the school board candidate forum where she could explain her position to voters, yet continues to accuse opponents of silencing her due to her faith. Our school board must meet the needs of all families, and Stegner does not. Vote to maintain a voice for all students.
Sara Tippie
Durango
