January 17, 2002
We believe that the citizens of Clifton Township deserve better representation on the school board than they have been receiving from David Rohl. His sense of commitment to his neighbors has been woefully negligent and he should step aside and allow someone to take the position who is able to offer full-time representation.
A year ago Rohl said he was running for the school board because he believed that his constituents were not being represented. Now, Rohl believes that his constituents are being represented because he reads the board packet when he receives it. We find it hard to believe that this is the kind of representation his constituency expected when they voted for him.
Rohl did not know, when we spoke to him in January, that the board hired a .30 position for the third grade at their December 19 meeting. Many residents of Clifton Township were deeply concerned about the issue of crowding in the third grade. Rohl was not one of them. Even more important was Rohl's absence at the special meeting where it was determined that the administrators' contracts should be extended.
Rohl made his point by being elected to the board. Citizens are deeply concerned about the finite number of taxpayer's dollars to pay for development and improvements of our schools. That point is now being lost by his inability or lack of interest in attending board meetings, committee assignments, special meetings and school events. Rohl has shown a lack of interest in the ongoing business and the future of the school district.
He admits that he was a one-issue candidate. His only issue now seems to be taking the seat away from someone who will study the board packets, attend meetings, visit the schools and take some of the pressure off of the other board members by being present at special meetings and school functions. Keeping someone else from being active on the school board is not a reason for hanging on to the seat.
His comment, "I'd sure hate to think the board hinges on me," echoes the opinion of all of us. If the board did hinge on him, or even one more member like him, our children would be in trouble.
Rohl accepted the responsibility of leadership and representation when he put his name on the ballot. At that time his commitment should have been to serve the district and its schools for the coming three years. With less than one year behind him, he has shown that he cannot fulfill his responsibility to the position. In the best interest of the school district and his constituents, Rohl should step aside so the problems that face us all can be resolved.
That move on his part will restore his credibility.
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