In a democracy, who exactly are the “right people”? When it comes to voting and selecting the people who will speak and make decisions on our behalf, doesn’t it come with the territory that all voices, great and small, deserve to be heard? When we head to the polls, aren’t well all supposed to be the “right people”?

Not according to the Michigan Association of School Boards. Just two days ago, in an interview given to the Grand Rapids Press editorial board, MASB Executive Director Kathy Hayes whined that the biggest problem with school board elections is that the “right people” rarely tend to show up to the polls.

Um, what? Excuse me, Ms. Hayes, but did we just hear that right? You’re actually advocating for elections that should be attended by the “right people”? Who exactly are these “right people,” anyway? Individuals who fit your staunch, anti-union rhetoric?

Ms. Hayes, as a part of the educational community, you really ought to know better. What kind of message do you think it sends out to young and impressionable people when you broadcast the notion that only certain sects of our population are entitled to have their say in picking our leaders? Maybe we need to give you a brief history lesson: the fact that all taxpaying Americans retain the right to vote is one of the most basic and fundamental principles of this country. It’s a right that hasn’t always been guaranteed, but over the course of our country’s 200 plus year history, we have weathered enough societal turmoil and tribulation on this issue to have transformed voting from a patriarchal privilege to an unalienable right. Who are the “right people”? Just check with the U.S. Census Bureau.

As an organization, we here at Progress Michigan absolutely condemn the insensitive remarks made by Kathy Hayes, and we demand that Ms. Hayes and the MASB issue a public apology for such an ignorant and inflammatory statement. We’re not alone in this, either: joining us in demanding this much needed apology and retraction are the Michigan Election Coalition, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote organization, taxpaying citizens concerned about the state of education in Michigan, and, of course, the Michigan Education Association – an organization committed to protecting the rights of educators and making sure that we have the resources to all be a part of the “right” crowd.

So, there you have it. Almost 24 hours prior, Progress Michigan and our partners in this fight called on Hayes to apologize, and we have yet to hear a single peep back in reply. Do you hear that tapping sound, MASB? No, that isn’t a bored student’s fingers drumming against the rim of a desk – that’s us tapping our collective foot, impatiently waiting for you to retract your inane statement and correct your actions. We suggest you don’t procrastinate.