Ms. Pond prefers sunshine to storm clouds.

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http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_educ...asnt-right.html

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Board member says Seminole Race to Top switcheroo wasn’t right

Seminole School Board member Sylvia Pond is unhappy with Superintendent Bill Vogel’s fancy footwork to have the school district sign on to the state’s application for a federal Race to the Top school improvement grant.

”I do not approve of the process,” Pond told me, adding that “no, I have not” changed her stand opposing participation.

Pond was on the prevailing side in 3-2 School Board votes Dec. 14 and Jan. 12. She opposes having the district go after the federal grant, which might bring Seminole$2.4 million over four years. Too many strings attached, the majority said.

But Vogel refused to take no for an answer and got Chairman Sandy Robinson to switch her vote Friday- no school board meeting bothered with - then quickly submitted a Memo of Understanding the state had requested from districts wishing to participate.

“I really do think this should have been done in public,” Pond said. “I voted it down twice in public. People have a right to complain.”

Pond said Vogel called her Friday to tell her what was going on and did not ask her opinion. “He knew I would not vote for it,” she said.