WHAT IS BISD TRUSTEE DR. SYLVIA ATKINSON TRYING TO DO HERE?

Those receiving the mailout below might assume that Dr. Sylvia Atkinson is running for BISD Trustee, but she is not.  She is already a board member, currently holding Place 7, a position not up for election this year.

Her letter below asks for contributions in various denominations so that she can create a board majority and push her agenda through successfully.

The normal, ethical method for promoting a certain agenda is to create a Political Action Committee with duly appointed officers, a careful record of contributions and contributors as well as expenditures.

Dr. Atkinson's approach below bypasses, circumvents the P.A.C., puts monies in her sole control, creating a Swiss Army Knife of potential ethical issues.

For example, Atkinson could offer contributions to certain candidates, but only if they promise to "play ball" with her agenda.

Certain candidates could even suspend or limit their own fundraising, expecting help from Sylvia, only to be denied unless they "cooperate."

Atkinson might not do this, but there is the possibility of a threat of funding opposition candidates to any trustee not performing or voting along with her.

The possibilities of abuse here are almost endless.

Those considering a contribution to this fund, may want to rethink.

Do you really want to give one trustee this much power and control?  Remember this line from  Shakespeare:  "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."