Bay Area Houston

I have no idea why Seabrook City Council Member Joe Machol wants to challenge a very good Trustee on the CCISD Board.

And believe me I have asked. Machol and I were to talk after my week in Cancun but he has ghosted me ever since. It is a valid question. What happened to make you wake up one morning and say “I have to run for CCISD Trustee?”. I’ve asked this question to many candidates including Machol with varying responses. CM Machol said he wanted to share his “conservative values” with me:

“I have picked up my packet to run for office against Jessica Let’s talk so you can get my conservative platform. “

He hasn’t returned my calls. CM Machol was recruited by Trustee Scott Bowen to run against Trustee Jessica Cejka. Bowen sits next to her on the Board. This recruitment makes for a great working relationship. Bowen is also up for reelection. I expect Bowen and CM Machol to run as a “coalition” much like what has happened in other districts like Keller ISD which is now in a state of turmoil. I also expect both of their campaigns to be funded by out of district money including from Bowen’s Billionaire Buddies.

Seabrook is in a state of turmoil with recalls abound wasting tax dollars and a Board that can’t seem to get along. It’s not pretty. CCISD doesn’t need any of this. We have enough turmoil with Bowen and Larson on board. We do not need a third agitator especially when the district is going to face some extraordinary challenges in 2025.

CM Machol resume on Seabrook City Council is impressive but lacks any indication of a background in education unlike Cejka who has a background in education as well as time in the classroom and owner of a small business. There is really only one reason why Machol is running and it doesn’t seem to be the welfare of our parents, teachers, or students.

During the election process hopefully Machol will detail why he is running.

It’s a good question that deserves an answer.

So far two incumbents, Jessica Cejka and Scott Bowen have filed for reelection to the CCISD School Board. Jessica has served one term. Bowen is running for his 3rd term.

Scott Bowen has recruited Seabrook Council Member Joe Machol to run against Jessica. Machol has not filed as of today but is expected to and has been seen hanging around at last night’s Board Meeting. One of the questions I have asked him, is why? Why run against a very well qualified and excellent sitting Trustee like Jessica Cejka? He originally wanted to share his “conservative values” with me in an email:

 “I have picked up my packet to run for office against Jessica. Let’s talk so you can get my conservative platform.“

I don’t get it. If Machol was a true “conservative” he would challenge Scott Bowen. Scott’s idea of a conservative aligns more with being an extreme right wing political hack hell bent on injecting his perverted ideas of conservatism into the classroom. I could write a full post on why Bowen should be challenged. (and I will soon) Machol would do the district a great service if he ran against Bowen.

Like most of the Trustees Jessica has performed the job without fanfare, disruption, or bringing her partisan political views into the Board. She has an excellent background in education. She has served her district very well. She has engaged her constituents. She has also volunteered to return to the classroom to teach math. She is a successful realtor and brings valuable experience to the Board. Her heart is in the right place. She isn’t perfect, but then again no one is, but she is great for the district, parents, teachers, and students. And that is all that matters.

So Mr. Machol why are you running against Jessica? It’s a question that needs to be answered.

Comments anyone?

Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), the Voucher Bill, sponsored by our own State Senator Mayes Middleton will be heard in the Education K-16 committee on Tuesday Jan 28 at 11:00. All 9 sponsors of the bill are on the committee so they will take testimony then vote the bill out of committee. This is common with the Republic Party in charge. The hearing on the open carry bill last all day and into the early hours of the next day. Hundreds testified against it include law enforcement. After the last person testified the Chair called for a vote and it passed.

The Texas Tribune has a great write up on the bill. So here are some highlights of the bill:

• Will provide up to $10,000 a year per student to families who send their kids to a private school
• Even if someone pays $0 in school taxes (renters) they will receive $10,000 more than what they contribute to public education
• Anyone can apply for the funding
• The bill will prioritize those who are already enrolled in a private school
• The bill will prioritize low income families, those making under $160,000/year
• Those who are truly low income will not be able to afford a private school even with the $10,000 handout
• private schools do not have to follow federal and state laws regarding special education that public schools must abide by
• The bill does not require participants to take the same state standardized tests issued to public school students annually
• $1 billion of your tax dollars has been set aside for this voucher scam

So buckle up, pull out your wallet, and prepare to donate to the wealthy. If you want you can call Senator Middleton to voice. your opinion about the Welfare for the Wealthy bill at (512) 463-0111.