Audio Sound Bites from the September 12, 2007 Governing Board Meetings All audio in MP3 format and less than 1 MB in size.
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September 12, 2007 Governing Board meeting where the Board voted 3 against and 2 for the creation of a parent uniform committee. This is also
the meeting in which some members of the Board state that "it's not about the will of the people"
- Time 2:19 - Charles Otterman relating those speaking up about the uniform issue to "Chicken Little", "Ostrich Head in the Sand" and the "Devil Made Me Do It".
- Time 2:10 - Charles Otterman telling us the correct way to think about it and what would have happened if uniforms were not eliminated. Also that parent committees "did uniforms wrong" in the first place.
- Time 1:46 - Charles Otterman stating that you cannot take intentions from what someone says. The reference he makes to the principals is in response to all the concerns principals express to Dr. Pletnick about the elimination of uniforms two days after school started.
- Time 0:27 - Bill Lipscomb calling out Charles Otterman that the Governing Board was not made aware of the uniform issue until August 11, two days before school.
- Time 4:26 - Charles Otterman stating that his oath of office is not open to public debate or opinion. He also states that the threat of a lawsuit because of uniforms was never on his mind. However, on August 11 Otterman mentions a lawsuit because of uniforms and Bill Lipscomb again calls him out on it. Charles Otterman also states that he had to do something about uniforms, but he couldn't do anything at the August 11 meeting.
- Time 2:21 - Charles Otterman stating that Governing Board Policy does not state "parental preference". Bill Lipscomb informs him that there is such Board policy that states "will of the people" and Otterman states that, "no we don't".
- Time 1:16 - Charles Otterman now stating that Board Policy does state "the will of the people". He also says that state law trumps board policy. Arizona State Law allows uniforms.
- Time 0:22 Charles Otterman now stating that he looks at the "Will of the people".
- Time 1:20 - Charles Otterman stating that personal prefence is not a rational world idea. He also claims that he never said he didn't like uniforms, then later states that he campaigned on no uniforms.
- Time 0:26 - Charles Otterman asking everyone to look at the way they vote and not what they say, followed by their vote not to create a parent committee.
- Time 1:33 - Charles Otterman reads Board goals and objectives where all stakeholders, all parents, every taxpayer should be involved. Later he votes against a parent committee.
- Time 1:17 - Christine Pritchard says that as a parent, she wouldn't want any decision this big made without parent input but then votes not to create a parent committee. She then says you can't base decisions on just the few that show up at the Board meeting.
- Time 1:25 - Christine Pritchard now cites letters from parents who are happy to see uniforms eliminated. Charles Otterman laughs at the fact only 4 people are at the meeting to speak about the "hot topic".
- Time 1:21 - Charles Otterman telling parents that he doesn't listen to their anecdotal stories, but then tells one himself and says that "uniforms dehumanize children".
- Time 1:54 - Charles Otterman stating that only reasonable people should make decisions about uniforms.
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