| Down
in the mud
The Des Moines Public School Board faced two
major problems when they hired Nancy Sebring.
One was nepotism, which was allowed to continue
and fester even in the face of incompetence.
The other problem was obviously of a more personal
nature, her arrogance to think she was above
the rules of propriety and proper conduct. It
is beyond the pale for anyone in charge of a
large urban school district to think they are
not bound by morality, civility and character.
What she was able to accomplish in her tenure
was done on the backs of the staff and students.
Her explicit emails sent on district equipment
and sometimes on district time is an embarrassment
to all involved (“Nancy, Nancy, Nancy,” June
7). Her lack of remorse, except for the use
of district computers, is what is most troubling
to me. Apologizing for violating the district
policy and not for her salacious behavior is
abominable. This behavior demonstrates a total
lack of responsibility for her personal life,
which is being scrutinized because of her choice
to behave badly.
Allowing and encouraging her twin sister to
be hired to run the Charter School and then
pretending or denying she was involved was a
lie and/or a cover up by the school board. Nina
Rasmussen should never have been hired. It matters
little about her qualifications. The majority
of the citizens of Des Moines felt duped by
such transparent nepotism. And to rub salt in
the wound, the boyfriend of Nina was hired to
run East High School. Where is the integrity
in this district? It is sorely lacking at the
present time.
They say power corrupts, and absolute power
corrupts absolutely. Nancy Sebring believed
the rules were for the peons. When you put yourself
on a pedestal and believe you do not have to
set an exemplary example, the fall is hard.
The shenanigans that were allowed to go on during
her tenure now have come to an embarrassing
end. The lessons to be learned by the school
board will certainly be hard ones. They were
enamored by her ability to talk a good game
while she carried on an illicit affair using
district computers, pursued employment for her
family members and refused to be honorable.
In the future, the board needs to remember that
the superintendent is not their new best friend,
or someone to cavort with for fun and pleasure.
Unfortunately her legacy will always be mired
down in the mud with her illicit behavior. Maybe
she will have time to reflect and realize the
mistakes she made and will have a moral awakening.
In the meantime, she can wallow in self-pity
and blame the media for the bad press. Way to
hold yourself accountable.
Deb McMahon
Des Moines
Eight to one
Eight to one! That was how Gov. Scott Walker
won reelection. Money, money and more money
wins elections. What does this say about the
intelligence of the American voter? Not much!
Listening to the lies on political advertising
and believing them seems to be a way of life
in the USA. All that one-percent money coming
down the pike is geared to one thing — more
power and more money for the one-percenters.
It’s certainly not coming down the pike for
the middle class.
Why do middle class voters vote against themselves
and for the rich? I guess that’s what they are
use to doing — just following the bouncing ball.
Oh, hell! Who wants a democracy for our kids
anyway?
John Hicks
Des Moines |
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