Librarian to fill vacancy on Rainier School Board
Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:24 AM PST
By Amy M.E. Fischer
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe Rainier School Board unanimously voted Wednesday to appoint a librarian and bookseller to fill the seat of board member Kelly Barnes, much to the frustration of the only other candidate for the job.
The board selected candidate Alison Dale-Moore after debating whether to extend the application time for the position in the hope of expanding the candidate pool. Only one other person applied for the job -- Russell Crawford, a farmer and excavator.
The term for the new board position expires in May 2009. Barnes left the seat because she is moving out of the area.
The school board did not say why they preferred Dale-Moore, who went home after her interview preceding the 7 p.m. meeting "because my family was hungry," Dale-Moore explained later.
Serving on the board is "a good opportunity to help my community," said Dale-Moore, who earned a bachelor's degree at Portland State University and a master's degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. "I like my neighbors. I think I'll do a good job. I'm going to try my best."
In a phone interview, she emphasized that she wants to reach out to the people in the Goble district.
"Community input is going to be very helpful to me," said Dale-Moore, who has lived in the district for three years and has children at the elementary and junior/senior high schools. "I'm brand new at this. It's a steep learning curve."
After the meeting, Crawford made no attempt to hide his disappointment and frustration. He knew the board would appoint any candidate other than him, he said, because he's had conflicts with all the board members over their past decisions.
"They know I do not care for their superintendent, and they're in love with their superintendent," he said, referring to Superintendent Michael Carter.
Crawford said he told the board during his interview that he wouldn't back away from disagreements and would vote his opinion. He would question information, do his own research and follow up with phone calls, he said.
"I'm not gonna let something get swept under the rug. I'm going to find out what the truth is behind it. They don't want that," Crawford said.
He questioned why he, a lifelong Rainier resident with seven children, isn't as qualified to be a school board member as newcomer to the community.
"Just because she has a college education makes her more qualified?" asked Crawford, who attended Rainier High School.
He intends to keep attending every school board meeting, workshop and policy session, he said.
"I'll still be watching what's going on," he said. "I'm not gone by no means."
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