BLM is Black Lives Matter. DEI is diversity, equity and inclusion.
The point of that question has become a central issue for voters as candidates campaign for Rockwood school board.
They want to know whether candidates will bring more focus on race and gender ideology into schools, or if they will work to remove it.
A recent candidate forum touched on these topics. More on that, here.
That specific question about DEI went unanswered, though, by Kary Bachert and her campaign this week, after Jason Bachert inadvertently brought attention to the topic through a social media post he wrote on Facebook this past Sunday.
Jason Bachert is Kary Bachert's husband.
More on Bachert's post and the questions it spurred, below.
WHY THE ATTENTION
Bachert's views are gaining attention, in part, because of two images shared on social media. The first image is seen above. It shows that Bachert and two other candidates are endorsed by the RNEA (Rockwood National Education Association). Conservative voters generally shy away from candidates with this endorsement because of the controversial stances of the larger national NEA organization.
Those
stances include that educators should acknowledge white privilege, that biological boys should be allowed in girls' bathrooms, and that preferred pronouns are important.
Some voters (who describe themselves as conservatives) have reportedly stated they planned to display Bachert's campaign signs in their yards, until they learned she was endorsed by the RNEA. They have been frustrated with the direction of Rockwood under its current school board, which is already majority RNEA endorsed.
Currently, 5 of Rockwood's 7 school board members were endorsed by the RNEA when they were elected: Lynne Midyett, Keith Kinder, Tamara Rhomberg, Randy Miller and Jaime Bayes.
The second image drawing attention is Bachert's previous Facebook profile picture, which is now no longer visible as one of the photos on her personal page. It shows a fist often associated with Black Lives Matter and reads, "Rockwood parents for diversity and inclusion."
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As previously seen on Facebook. |
"Diversity and inclusion" is often described as ways to make sure students feel seen and heard, but the methods used to promote it have alarmed many Rockwood parents.
Aside from those images, even more attention is now on Bachert's views after the Facebook post written by Bachert's husband this week, which accuses "others" of slander and defamation against wife, Kary. It appears he's referring to efforts to inform voters about the RNEA endorsement and her profile picture.
BACHERT'S ACCUSATION
Bachert wrote, "I am writing to alert you of actions of others that are out of control. They are distributing flyers containing slanderous statements about my wife at houses that have her sign in their yard."
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Bachert's post alleging slander and defamation.
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WHAT'S THE SLANDER?
The post attracted supportive comments from voters planning to vote for Kary, but, it also drew questions. Commenters wanted to know what was in the flyer and what was slanderous about it.
Bachert didn't say, and didn't show the flyer, even when asked to do so.
Those who asked for an explanation of the flyer or the slander were not answered and are no longer visible on the post.
In other posts on social media, people have shown a flyer they say is the one Bachert is referencing. It shows the RNEA endorsement and the profile picture with the fist.
THE FLYER
The flyer begins with a title:
"If you have conservative values, you may want to be aware... " and then goes on to mention that Kary Bachert is endorsed by the RNEA, that the RNEA is affiliated with the NEA, it lists priorities for the NEA, states that some voters changed their minds about Bachert after learning the information, and, shows Bachert's previous Facebook profile picture as seen above in this post.
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Flyer, as seen on Facebook |
Here are some of the comments to the post.
They are among those that are no longer visible.
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Questions posted as comments to Jason Bachert's post. |
Bachert has since limited who can comment on his post.
DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM THE RNEA?
We did not see references to an RNEA endorsement on the campaign web pages of Bob Cadigan, Lynn Midyett, or Kary Bachert. All 3 are endorsed by the RNEA. We also have not seen references to the RNEA in their print ads that have been in the newspaper.
That's a departure from previous campaigns, when candidates proudly displayed it.
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Candidate ads from 2022 |
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
It's a voter's responsibility to research the candidates. The best way to find out whether they're endorsed by the RNEA is to ask them directly or visit the
RNEA website. Under the "why join" tab, it explains that the RNEA is part of the long mission of the NEA.
For more about specific NEA resolutions that have concerned parents, read them
here.
Look for items I-54, I-61, C-12 and I-58.
PEOPLE SAY
People who have volunteered with Bachert on various school fundraisers and committees have contacted Rockwood: What's Going On. They described Bachert as "very nice, but definitely not a conservative." And, "very pro-DEI."
WHAT DOES KARY BACHERT SAY?
At Wednesday's PTO Presidents candidate forum, Bachert mentioned "negative" campaigning against her during her closing statement. This is a change from the word "slander" seen in her husband's earlier post.
There was no explanation about what she considers negative.
Note: We reached out to Bachert's campaign. If we get a response, we will update this post.