As Sgt. Friday used to say on TV’s “Dragnet” show: “Just the facts, please.” Makes sense. Let’s recap.


• A vacancy has arisen on the Medford School Board with the pending resignation of board member Michelle Atkinson effective June 1.

• Board policy long adopted by previous elected boards calls for the board to fill that vacancy by appointment promptly.


• Board members called for applications by May 22 and the vacancy to be filled at the June 5 work session.

That, in a nutshell, is how democracy works. Lawfully established policies. Followed by majority vote of lawfully elected boards.

No surprise, freshman board member Michael Williams objects. Williams has spent many months embroiling the district in pointless controversy. He even sued the district wasting staff time and taxpayers’ money.

Portland law firm Miller Nash, LLP,  found that Williams inappropriately interfered in management decisions. Threatened a district staff member. Later repeated his threat to another staff member. Then used six news stories to plant incomplete or inaccurate information wrongly maligning the Medford School District, under pretense of working to reveal security lapses at South Medford High.

 

Now, Williams suggests the timing of Atkinson’s resignation and of the board’s pending appointment is somehow suspect? That’s another offensive smear. Parents of school-age children quite naturally choose to relocate at the school year’s end. Atkinson has served honorably and is legally entitled to fulfill as much of her term as she’s able.


Williams should resign. Elected officials have been recalled for far less mischief.

Alberto Enriquez / Medford