Transparency can be defined as operating in a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are being taken and why. It implies an openness and desire for two-way communication. Without transparency there can be no true accountability. That is why transparency is critical for a healthy democratic process, including school board elections.

In spite of that we find ourselves wondering why, for the second week in a row, incumbent school board candidates have been attempting to further their campaigns through promotions or attack ads in the Current with no transparency. First, with the last minute formation of the Americans Against Progressive Elitist Policies PAC by locals Jim Ake and Birch Dalton and then via the fictitious “Coalition of Students, Teachers, and Taxpayers – COST PAC”. 

COST in WWS

You can find the COST in WWS Facebook page, created in 2020, that was dedicated to pushing back against the reassignment of former High School Principal Dr. Stacy Maguire. The Current story at the time reported the coalition was being led by none other than Birch Dalton. The original name was the Coalition of Stakeholders and Teachers and had a similarly named non-profit called Coalition of Stakeholders and Teachers PAC formed 8/1/2020. Not only does the PAC listed as paying for the recent ad not exist in any legal PAC filings, they changed the name to something they thought would be better received. The COST in WWS page hasn’t even been active for well over a year and residents previously working to support the group were never told that this was happening.  

Where’s the Transparency?

Perhaps the worst part is they are stealing the name of a local group formed specifically to support former Principal Dr. Stacey Maguire and using it to endorse one of the board members who voted to have her reassigned. There was no transparency extended to residents affiliated with the original COST in WWS group. There was no transparency in these new or made up organizations paying for ads week after week. There is no transparency in where any of the funding for these organizations came from. There is only the association of two locals trying to buy influence, each attempt more deceptive than the last. Along the way the current incumbent candidates up for re-election have looked the other way as they benefit from removing transparency and avoiding accountability.   

Transparency is one of the 5 pillars ROCK PAC looked for in candidates prior to endorsing them for this year’s Westfield Washington School Board election. It is one we would never abandon in an attempt to win and one we are glad Jill Woerner, Patrick Phillips, & Patrick Fassnacht all embody. Please join us in spreading the message and vote for JPP.