Next, someone had asked that Dave Weigand recuse himself from the vote (I think it was Patrykus, but not sure) as he already had an established opinion. Without going into all the details, that was nixed (to their credit) by all the board members EXCEPT FOR TODD MILLER. All members (with the exception of the absent Williams) voted tonight.
Conversation across the board was:
Kris Beaver is terrified of the bullies and basically stated so. He was going to vote to approve simply based on fear of Fincke and Patrykus's legal threats.
Randy Parks has a son who is in the GSA and stated in the work session that he was in favor of the club being co-curricular. If there was anyone who should have recused himself, this would have been the one to ask if that was the criteria we are using.
Todd Miller acted like he had an axe to grind all night. He voted for the club because, well, because.
Board member Randy Marquardt made it clear that he did not appreciate being told by the attorneys that they had to approve this club or they would get sued. He did not feel they were in violation of any statutes or laws, and did not agree with the attorneys. He also said that that curricular and policy ties were a stretch to make them fit to the GSA, and he did not agree that the GSA fit the policy for a co-curricular. With that said, the three conservative board members did what their constituents were confident they would do. They were represented to the fullest with the NAY vote for a school-sponsored GSA.
Much appreciation to Randy Marquardt, Tim Stepanski and Dave Weigand who stood firm in their representation of our conservative school district.
To God be the Glory.
