Bill Betzen's Blog: 5-25-19 email to Board: Why secret swearing in of new trustees 9 days early?

Today the Dallas Morning News reported as if the new trustees were sworn in at the usual time of the May Board meeting:
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2019/05/23/new-trustees-sworn-one-seat-dallas-school-board-remains-empty#

This article is in error as the 5/23/19 swearing in was a formality for the audience only. There had been a secret swearing in for both new trustees on 5-14-19. Why? This email was sent today to the Dallas Board President and Dr. Hinojosa in search of an answer:
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From: Bill Betzen <bbetzen@aol.com>
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2019
Subject: Why were new trustees sworn in 5/14/19, & why kept secret?
To: edwinflores <edwinflores@dallasisd.org>, Hinojosam <Hinojosam@dallasisd.org>, miguelsolis (copied all trustees)

Dear President Flores & Dr. Hinojosa,

Why were the two new trustees sworn in 9 days before the regular monthly meeting?

Why was it kept secret?

Bill Betzen
www.dallasisd.us
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Now, on 5-28-19, I have received this email from Ben Mackey pretending that his 5-23-14 swearing in was the only and officlal swearing in and the 5-14-19 swearing in never happened.

Does this qualify as a lie by Trustee Mackey? See the wording below of the email.

Mackey was officially sworn on on 5-14-19 by someone other than Rep. Rafael Anchia.

Why?

Bill Betzen

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-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Mackey <ben@benfordisd.com>
To: bbetzen <bbetzen@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, May 28, 2019 3:59 pm
Subject: Time to Get to Work!

Last Thursday, I was honored to be officially sworn in by former DISD District 7 School Board member and current State Representative, Rafael Anchia. I am so thankful to everyone who supported me in getting to this moment; this would not have happened with you! Now it's time to get to work!

Are you interested in staying connected to the work we'll be doing for the students and families in District 7 and Dallas ISD at-large? Please sign up here to get involved and stay tuned for more details!

I shared a few remarks at last week's ceremony and wanted to share an excerpt with you here:

Good evening. I am humbled to be here and entrusted with the monumental task of serving as a trustee in Dallas ISD for District 7. Every day, parents across this city send their kids to our schools and trust us to keep them safe, care for them, teach them, and prepare them for a lifetime of opportunity and success. This immeasurable responsibility and privilege has always driven each of the decisions and actions I’ve made over the course of my career as a teacher and principal. I pledge to my community, this city, and, most importantly, to our Dallas students, that I will never forget the gravity of that responsibility as a school board member and will use it to guide each of the decisions I make in this role, as well.

As I assume this seat, I want to thank my predecessor, Trustee Audrey Pinkerton, for stepping into this role and devoting herself to the work that this task requires. I’d also like to thank the former trustees for this district for their service as well, specifically two that are here tonight – the Honorable Eric Cowan and State Representative Rafael Anchia. I hope to build on the legacy that you all have established.

If I were to thank everyone who believed in me and supported me up until this point, we would be here all night... So to everyone that has supported and believed in me, whether you’re here tonight or not, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you. I am forever grateful for the time, energy, blood, sweat, tears and laughter that you contributed to my campaign.

I pledge to you, and all the students in Dallas ISD, that I will approach my work here as trustee with fidelity, integrity, and a focus on how what we do here, impacts your education and your life.

I pledge that I’ll focus on policies and not politics.

I pledge that I’ll work to engage all parts of our community in District 7 and Dallas ISD.

I pledge to work closely with all of the other trustees here, and the administration, in our relentless pursuit of a public school system that ensures that ALL of our students have access to an excellent education that provides them with opportunities for success, regardless of where they live, what they look like, or the language they speak. The circumstances we are born into should never dictate our trajectory in life. I have seen our schools and teachers beat the statistics and change kids’ lives and I will continue to work to spread that same equity and access across our entire district.

I’m thankful to be entrusted with this position. I’m honored. And now, I’m ready to get to work.

Thank you,

Ben