Petition drive to change BISD trustee representation begins

For years, voters have heard the phrase, "If you don't like it, change it at the polls."

And that's what a group of Beaumont ISD parents are attempting with a petition drive.. starting today.

To some people, these petitions are a ticket to change.

Sallie Curtis Elementary School parent Andre Cokinos said, "It's email, phone calls and neighbors talking to neighbors, tax payers talking to tax payers."

And it's another sign of dissatisfaction with the beaumont independent school district board of trustees.

"Martin's behind, Blanchette is behind, Moms and Dads are concerned...."

Cokinos, is behind the petition drive. At a kick off meeting Wednesday, he explained to attendees that the petition is to change the way the school board represents the district.

The board is made up of seven, single-member districts. The petitions call for a May 2010 election to change that makeup to five, single-member districts, and two at-large positions. Cokinos says the goal is to give voters more of a voice on the board.

He said, "Our board member did not represent us the way we felt she should have, with the at-large system, that would give us two additional votes for anybody across the district."

But some people feel that's not the way to solve the problem.

"If ya'll are not pleased with how the board is represented right now, and your board member is not voting the way that you feel, like the constituents is wanting her to go, then i would suggest that when that election comes up again, that ya'll start a grassroots and then get someone else in her position," said a crowd member.

BISD Board President Woodrow Reece agrees, saying if it's not broken, don't try to fix it.

Supporters of the petition drive see it differently.

Jed Dollinger said, "It's broke, I mean the way that the school board is operating, it is definitely broke."

This stack of petitions may be short now, but Cokinos hopes all district tax payers, regardless of their thoughts on the idea, will help get the issue put on a ballot so voters can decide once and for all.

Cokinos said, "I'm reaching out to the citizens in the district, all the voters, registered voters, to have a say in how the trustees are elected and just take an interest in the whole system."

The group plans to collect petitions until the end of December.

Their goal is to get 12,000 signatures... that's 15% of the district's registered voters.

They're required to have the petitions turned in 120 days before the May election in order for the issue to make it on the ballot.