Leander ISD Board President laughs after 'muzzling' departing Trustee

Bode, left, and Johnson, right.

The next round of 2022 school board elections in Central Texas got off to a confrontational start Thursday, less than two days ahead of candidate filing. 

Trustee Aaron Johnson of Leander Independent School District (west and northwest of Austin) announced at Thursday night's regularly called school board meeting he would not seek re-election after numerous terms at the same post.

Johnson asked permission to read a prepared personal privilege speech, outlining his time on Place 6 since 2011, his family's involvement and "personal sacrifices," and also including critiques of the way reading and writing is being taught at his son's campus. He was prevented by Place 1 Trustee and board President Trish Bode from finishing with "just a few paragraphs left."

Watch below (starting at around 17:40).

During Johnson's critique, Bode interrupted to claim the remarks would cause "a back-and-forth" among trustees, consuming time.

Johnson continued, laying in about his early attempts at running for the seat, first in 2006 and 2007, and friendships made with former opponents. He shifted gears to defend his reputation -- Johnson being among the more conservative wing of the board and often facing criticism from radical Left activists.

"I tell you all of this to illustrate that these are not the actions of people intent on destroying public education. Can we please remove such ridiculous suggestions from our dialogue?" Johnson said. "Principled disagreements about the direction of public education are not expressions of hostility toward public education, rather they express a love and appreciation for public education, and a desire to protect what we value most about public education. Suggesting otherwise demonstrates an unfortunate lack of emotional intelligence and desire to protect what we value most about public education. Suggesting otherwise demonstrates an unfortunate lack of emotional intelligence and empathy."

"Demonizing" and "dehumanizing" attacks from activists should stop, he continued, opining that "purple" communities seem to be consumed by a "civil war" for their school districts, such as what is currently taking place at Leander ISD. He said the upcoming election would be "a major test" of civility.

Earlier that morning, a PAC opposing the leftward direction of the board's majority and superintendent Bruce Gearing announced they would endorse three candidates for five open seats. At least three other conservative contenders have previously announced their intentions to run. The filing period begins Saturday.

Johnson continued his criticism, this time zeroing in on subject matter being fed to students "where content and activities creep well-past what parents want."

"We're at a decision point: Either our schools work for everyone they serve, or we will drive significant segments of our community away," Johnson followed, calling for a return to academic core subjects and not special interests or topics which impugn religious freedom.

Bode again interrupted the speech to cite a board agreement that forbids argument on the board -- fearful that Johnson's remarks would ignite a fire-y discussion. She said the election season comments are "problematic" and may veer toward "electioneering."

Bode called a recess to consult with the board parliamentarian. Upon returning to business, it was determined Johnson's commentary was not allowed as the presiding officer may limit the scope of discussion, and that a new topic may be placed on a future board meeting agenda to accommodate Johnson's comments. Johnson countered such speeches were one-way comments and allowed in parliamentary bodies. Bode said it may be a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act in that fellow board members would not be prepared to respond -- "you have to be very careful there."

"I don't understand what you're afraid of, and I think muzzling a board member like this is ridiculous," Johnson said, meeting applause from guests in attendance. "... I did not violate the law, and I think your decision here is ridiculous."

Johnson abstained from voting on several items of business for the remainder of the meeting.

Bode moved to the next agenda item, open comments from citizens, with a laugh: "I'm sure it will be a rousing evening, everybody!"

Places 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 on the Leander ISD board are up in the November 2022 election.

Analysis: School boards across the nation have been engulfed in similar disputes, often fueled by adult topics in curriculum, radical race-relation theories, or unaddressed malfeasance in leadership (e.g. the situation in Round Rock ISD, which is one of the worst we've seen). Johnson, while historically one of the more modest and fiscally focused members of the board, has become increasingly alienated by the leftward direction of the board's majority that developed during the Trump Administration and a related upswing in liberal-progressive activism. 

By contrast Bode, typically a Republican voter with moderate sympathies and plenty of experience in state-level lobbying, seems to have become increasingly liberal along with the cultural shift on the board. The squaring off between these two trustees speaks volumes about the struggles many board members are currently having. But it is the voters who will have the final say in this fight. If conservative and "angry mama bear" victories in nearby Lake Travis and Dripping Springs ISDs are of any comparison to Leander ISD, then Bode (whose seat is up for re-election) may wish to heed Johnson's warning and tap into the GOP base who elected her a little more often. This is no laughing matter.