Mayor Donna Deegan is attempting to seat liberal Elizabeth Andersen, who was kicked off the School Board by voters, on the library board of trustees, and it is arousing considerable opposition.
One unusual aspect was the appearance of a current School Board member, speaking as a private citizen, at a City Council committee meeting to speak in opposition to the controversial appointment.
Melody Bolduc made a stirring and impressive speech in which she questioned Andersen’s respect for parental authority.
Andersen also “has a history of promoting harmful and divisive ideologies,” Bolduc said.
Andersen herself did not show up for the Rules Committee meeting.
Vote counters expect the appointment to be voted down at Monday’s meeting of the Rules Committee.
Activist Blake Harper, who is contesting the appointment, said “Elizabeth Andersen has been a longtime leader of Jacksonville’s DEI/CRT movement.”
DEI and CRT are liberal fads that were popular under the Biden administration but now are being rejected and dismantled because they foment racism and hate.
Andersen, a mental health counselor, served one term on the School Board but was defeated by conservative candidate April Carney in 2022.
Given Andersen’s leftwing views, it was no surprise that Deegan, a liberal Democrat, appointed her, nor is it a surprise that there is strong opposition.
