New readers may have read far enough back in my posts to see that I’m preparing to dismantle, Mary Rice, the attorney hired by the School Board over my loud objections to investigate six flimsy accusations hurled at my sometimes ornery colleague Art Johnston. I’ve likened the charges as so much mud thrown against the barn wall to see what sticks. Mud is hardly the right noun for what’s been thrown at Art.
I also recently said that I was tempted to reveal the kind of “protected” private personnel data that could get me in hot water if I haven’t already hinted enough at it to have crossed that line. Oh yes. I already inadvertently released a possible price for Central High School. That was yesterdays’ front page story. I’m not talking about that. Hell the reporter felt it was public and was prepared to file an information request for it. That’s not the kind of data I’m talking about. We will find out in a few days whether I’ve scotched the deal or not. What I’m talking about is one of the issues that some have told me is not relevant – the thuggish treatment of School Board member Johnston’s mate in an effort to punish Art Johnston for his annoying demand for more information about why our schools are short of money, teachers, students and overextended in terms of debt.
After reading the first sentence of today’s gross overreaction to the investigative report I can see I’ll have to spend some time defending Art not just from the gullibility and/or cupidity of Mary Rice but against a long held grudge by the Editorial staff at the Duluth News Tribune who have been almost as irritated by Art as the pro-Red Plan supporters on the Duluth School Board. What is that sentence?
“The thoroughly researched and independent investigation into allegations against Duluth School Board member Art Johnston was damning enough.”
With a lead above that first sentence that reads: “Johnston can do the right thing and step down.” its no mystery where this editorial is headed. They’ve mopped up Mary Rice’s mud and have passed judgement on it and are about to offer it up to their readers as a justification for getting rid of the Board’s conscience and the Tribune’s gad fly.
The first great gadfly was Socrates and his critics condemned him to death by drinking hemlock. They hoped he’d run away because their charges against Socrates were dubious. Socrates’s avid student Plato made mincemeat of the the judges years later in one of his famous treatises. I can’t wait that long.
I’ll soon read the rest of the editorial in preparation for heaping more abuse on it but first I’ll note I’ve been a little worried about the reply to the Trib that Art Johnston told me he was going to put in the paper. As always I find that Art’s words are surprisingly cogent. A few nuances aside I agree with everything Art has written. So let me conclude this introduction to the dismantling of Art Johnston, that has been orchestrated by a huge cabal of Johnston haters, by inserting the best commentary on this yellow press lynching that was written in a letter-to-the-editor by George Hovland at the beginning of this sorry saga:
Reader’s view: Johnston pays steep price for democratic dissent
By George HovlandAs a taxpaying Duluthian with a strong prejudice against Bill Gronseth, the worst but among-the-highest-paid schools superintendents in Duluth history, I can only say, the “investigation” of School Board member Art Johnston for as yet largely undefined offenses could not be further off the mark (Our View/Duluth School Board: “Is investigation really necessary?” June 13).
If any charges should be leveled at anyone, they should be directed at the two bringing the accusations against Johnston for their inability to function within the protocols expected and for their failure to realize that dissent is a function of democratic institutions. Gronseth and company may not appreciate the importance of a minority opinion among School Board members, but those of us who are still troubled by the divisive outcomes of the Red Plan certainly appreciate our voice on the board. Johnston has represented those of us who felt the plan was too expensive and that it increased racial and financial disparities in our community rather than being the “fix” it was touted to be.
Knowing Johnston as an honest professional who asks probing questions of the board’s actions, as his oath and obligations mandate, I think we should honor and applaud him. Further, if we consider him as a partner defending his highly qualified significant other, who with love and infinite patience has worked with challenged children at Duluth East High School, his defense of her should be an example for all of us.
As the presumed leader, Gronseth, because of the actions against Johnston and his partner, allowed the wrong message to be sent to the public that pays him and, more importantly, to the students learning life lessons in our schools.
George Hovland
Duluth
