Krista Goodrich

For the students and community members that are fighting for this teacher, thank you for using your voice to fight for someone you believe in. From my understanding, this is a fantastic teacher, and the decision was made at the school level based on the available budget and needs of this particular school. While we as school board members do not make or direct individual staffing decisions, I'm so proud of the kids that are doing all that they can to fight for something important to them.

It was shared with me that some of the students were told that, since the school board did not respond to the incredible young lady that spoke at our board meeting, our lack of response indicated that you are "cogs on a wheel." This is simply not true. Because board meetings are business meetings, we listen to what the speakers say to us, and then each of us goes and does our own research to see if the topic is something that falls under school board control, and if so, what that path looks if we are able to act on it. Unfortunately, knee-jerk responses to each speaker, without all of the facts, would be irresponsible.

School-based staffing decisions are not directed or decided by school board members, and it would be inappropriate for us to dictate that to individual schools. However, our students are way more than "cogs on a wheel" so anyone that tells you that is wrong-keep using your voice, keep fighting for what you believe in-you may not always get the answer you want-but fighting for what deserves your energy will always be something to be proud of.

Krista Goodrich
School Board Member Vice Chair
District 2
Volusia County Schools


[Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]