Board member targeted

&emsp;&emsp;With racism and the need to address it at a systemic level a matter of great concern around the world, the Northgate School Board meeting began with a heartfelt and promising statement from superintendent Dr. Caroline Johns, but then devolved into a prime example of how difficult it will be to address some troubling and emotionally-charged issues.&emsp;&emsp;Johns read a statement from Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, who stated that changes needed to be made to the entire education system to root out explicit and implicit bias. Johns said that she was ready to work with the community to have the "hard conversations" about race and racism. She thanked the families of color in the district who had spoken with her to provide their perspective on how the Northgate School District could do better for students.&emsp;&emsp;"My lack of understanding was unacceptable," Johns said, adding that she did not truly understand the experience of minorities but was committed to drafting a plan for involving the entire community in an effort to eliminate racism in their children's education.&emsp;&emsp;Board member Lanae Lumsden, who is the only black member of the school board and whose children attend Northgate schools, said that for every family that had spoken with Johns, there were dozens more who were too uncomfortable to speak up or felt intimidated. She said that she had felt dismissed by teachers and others in the local schools when she had pointed out ways in which their treatment of children of color could be viewed as racist.&emsp;&emsp;The meeting ran headfirst into the difficult issues of perspective and accusations of racism when Bellevue Council president Val Pennington, who is black, and his wife, Dr. Molly Brown Pennington, re-introduced an incident that had occurred when Val Pennington was running for council in 2017.&emsp;&emsp;The issue actually was triggered by a Facebook post by Bellevue Mayor Emily Marburger last week. Marburger posted that she had just been informed that someone from the community development group Bona fide Bellevue would be taking photographs of homes and commercial buildings in the borough. Marburger initially claimed that she had no idea why the photos were being taken, but walked back that statement after Bona fide Bellevue reported that representatives of the organization had informed her and other borough officials in early January that the group would begin cataloging historic properties in the borough as part of a grant it had received that allowed the group to hire a historical architecture expert who would document the historical value of borough structures, which might possibly serve as the foundation for future funding opportunities.&emsp;&emsp;Brown commented on the post, stating that she did not want Bona fide Bellevue taking photos of her home because members of the organization and its leadership had launched a "smear campaign" against her husband when he ran for office, which she said was a common tactic to discourage black people from running for office. &emsp;&emsp;Part of that smear campaign, Brown said, was information about tax liens that had been filed against the Penningtons' property that was released on social media just days before the 2017 election. School board member Christine King was identified at the time as being a source of the information, and she was again identified in the Facebook comment and at Monday's school board meeting.&emsp;&emsp;King explained in the Facebook post that she had been contacted by a resident who had learned of the tax liens and had inquired as to whether Northgate had a policy, similar to one advocated by some members of Bellevue Council at the time, of not hiring people who owed the district money for unpaid taxes and fees. Pennington was employed by the district as a girls' volleyball coach. King said that she investigated for herself, and ultimately forwarded the matter to the finance committee and the solicitor.&emsp;&emsp;To be clear, an examination of Allegheny County court records indicates that there were no active liens against the Penningtons' property at the time he ran for election. A number of liens had been filed against the property, mostly by the Borough of Bellevue, in prior years, but all of them were listed as being satisfied in full. The validity and implications of tax liens is considered so unreliable that credit reporting agencies do not even consider them in determining credit scores.&emsp;&emsp;Pennington himself argued at Monday's meeting that the information was false and was used to smear him, but it was his wife who characterized King's involvement as racist, as it constituted harassment of a black candidate and "economic shaming."&emsp;&emsp;Brown also stated that at a candidates' forum held at the same time, King, as a candidate for school board, had answered a question about diversity and minority education by advocating for "color-blindness."&emsp;&emsp;"How do we trust that she can act in the best interests of [Val Pennington's] children and other children in the district?" Brown asked, because King had "no demonstrable understanding of racism." She called on King to resign from the board and issue a public apology, and for the district to conduct a full investigation into her actions.&emsp;&emsp;King said that she did not post the lien information to social media, nor did she intend for anyone else to do so. She admitted to using the term "color-blind" because she did not understand at the time that minority children were being subjected to racism in the Northgate School District. She said that she, like many white Americans, was "growing," and noted that she has offered several times to speak with the Penningtons and they have refused.&emsp;&emsp;King's husband, John King, defended his wife and denied any racist motivation on her part, but triggered a negative reaction when he suggested that if the Penningtons wanted to make things better with regards to race in the community, a "Martin Luther King Day" event could be held to discuss issues with the community, and that perhaps it could be moderated by a white member of the Bona Fide Bellevue board.&emsp;&emsp;"I find your statement very offensive," Lumsden told him, a sentiment echoed by board member Michael Rajakovic.&emsp;&emsp;Christine King received more support from Julie and Mark Helbling. Julie Helbling was in tears as she said that members of the community obviously had been hurt, something she did not want to see, and that she hoped the matter could be resolved. She said that she could not imagine Christine King acting to tarnish someone because of their skin color. Mark Helbling said that King was a valuable member of the school board because of her financial expertise, and suggested that some board members might be biased against her because she was digging into financial matters. &emsp;&emsp;The following statement was made by Christine King after the meeting: &emsp;&emsp;"In October of 2017, I participated in a school board candidate forum sharing views on a variety of issues related to education. One of the questions related to diversity and equity in our schools. Two and a half years ago, I stated that I thought individuals, including me, and the District at large did not differentiate children based on color but celebrated each unique child. I used the term colorblindness which I came to understand can be hurtful and seen as dismissive to those who have felt marginalized. That was in no way my intent. The next day via social media, I was attacked for using this term and my motives in running for school board were called into question by a bewildering barrage of prompts. "Do you want to cut funding for special education" was one question I was to answer. I found it inconceivable and hurtful that anyone would assign nefarious intent to me wanting to serve the students and residents in the role of a school board director. My very open and stated platform was to improve the educational opportunities and supports for students and to preserve the viability of our District. &emsp;&emsp;"In November 2017, as a new school board member, I was asked a question by a resident regarding employment with the District. The question was if compensation would be made by the District to an employee with an outstanding tax debt. I asked the question of appropriate personnel; I did not provide the name of the taxpayer but rather sought board policy. I did; however, share this public tax data in a private conversation with a personal friend. I had no intent for it to be shared further or used to embarrass or intimidate anyone. This action was a private one and the allegation that it was racially motivated is untrue. &emsp;&emsp;"My care and concern for all students have been demonstrated by my actions. I fought to preserve a preschool program after it was voted down. I pushed forward again and again after defeat to afford a free breakfast and lunch program for every student. I championed a dual enrollment program that may serve and benefit each high schooler. &emsp;&emsp;"I don't believe that the attempted current vilification of me will serve or heal anyone. I feel regret for any private action I have taken in the past or might unwittingly make in the future that would cause anyone undue harm. I have asked before to have a conversation about this matter with the goal of coming together with humility. Instead, I am faced with a very public thirst for humiliation and retaliation."