Kiner's Korner: Q & A With School Board Member Kevin Fealy (Part 1)

As the author of this column, I thank Kevin Fealy for his time and for his thoughts. I posed a number of questions to Mr. Fealy, and I appreciate his candid responses. There are some who would agree with Mr. Fealy, and others who would disagree. What started out as just an interview, became a little more personal to me as I read Mr. Fealy's comments.  This is an opinion page and this writer also has an opinion. I believe that everything that Mr. Fealy said, in response to my questions, is quoted accurately. Patch welcomes comments to this column.

Q: Good morning Kevin. As a new member of the Enfield Board of Education, I am sure that the residents of Enfield would like to get to know you a little better. First, a little biographical data. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself and your family?

A: I grew up in California, the second oldest of 7 children.  However one sister died of crib death in 1983.  I competed as a swimmer achieving a Varsity letter as a freshman in High School and enjoyed much success and acclaim in the sport. 

My parents have been married for 47 years. My mother’s career moved us from California eventually landing us in Florida, where most of my siblings and parents still reside. 

As fate would have it, I landed a job as a mattress salesman which led to an unlikely career selling mattresses which is how I met my wife.  My career had us relocating for business again.  I have lived in Texas, where both of my sons were born.  We also moved to Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and now Enfield, CT.  I rose through the ranks due to my success, and at one point ran the New England market for a major mattress retailer.  My goal, however was to be home more with my family and I moved from the retail sector to the manufacturing side of the business where I currently hold a position as a Territory Manager for the Simmons Bedding Company.

My work history also includes such jobs as a wine wholesaler, and computer training sales representative when I lived in Texas.

When I was young, my parents taught me and my siblings the value of education.  My father returned to college and achieved his degree from UCLA majoring in Philosophy, and my mother got her degree in Nursing from Santa Monica College.  Both of my parents were and are avid readers, and this example showed me that education comes from many sources and it is incumbent upon each one of us to learn all we can from wherever we can. 

Q: What got you involved in Enfield education with a desire to serve on the BOE?

A: I decided to run for Board of Education after my oldest son came home from school as a freshman and told me his Spanish teacher started many classes with discussions about Climate change and her views on the subject.   In fact they were scheduled to watch Al Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth” in class.  I contacted the school at that time, and was told I should talk directly to the teacher.  So, I did.  We argued about whether or not it was appropriate for a Spanish Teacher to deal with such subject matter in a Spanish class.  I suggested that if this teacher felt compelled to teach this subject that it would be better that she teach Biology, but even then both sides of this argument should be discussed.

I realized at that time it was necessary for me to become more involved with my son’s education.  That was over two years ago.  Since that time, I have been reading and learning what I can about our education system as a whole and have become convinced that some of the ideas that are represented in the classrooms need to be questioned and examined closely for their credibility before stating them as fact.  Also, I believe we, as parents, need to hold our teachers and administrators accountable if they abuse the trust given them with regard to our children.

Q: The new Board of Education is only one month old and your name keeps popping up in the news. First, if I remember correctly, you were directly involved in the Sicko issue, coming before the Town Council, asking that the movie not be shown. Some people agreed with you while others called it censorship. Now, as a member of the Board, you have a forum to discuss what our children have the ability to see and to learn and to question. What are your thoughts as to what motivated you to exclude Sicko and are those thoughts behind what we can expect from your position on the Board?

A: My objection to Sicko being shown at the library was based on a couple of issues.  First, this film was billed as “Family Fun”.  It is not.  Second, I believe this film promotes a specific political agenda, and I challenge its accuracy when being represented as a “documentary” implying fact.  Again, if this side of the argument will be represented in a public forum funded by my tax dollars, then I require (as a tax payer) that the other side of the argument be offered.  If a transcript is available from the TC meeting when I raised the objection to the showing of this movie under its proposed criteria back then, it should show that I wanted either the other side also offered, or to simply make it available for those wishing to view it through traditional library channels.  I believe that Henry Dutcher overstepped his authority, and that he used his position to promote his agenda.  I also believe our libraries were not at that time, fully compliant with the State Library requirements.  I felt that funding for this program was granted without full disclosure of its content.  But, to clarify, I never wanted it removed from the public access.

Q: What do you believe the role of a board of education member to be as relates to what is taught in our schools? At a recent Board meeting you objected to a particular biology unit being taught. I believe that you said that teachers would be afforded enough latitude to "create a climate that exposés a specific political agenda"? Do you really believe that teachers are educating  our children with beliefs that are politically motivated?

A: Differing points of view are a fact of life.  Debate is healthy.  But as in any healthy debate, there has to be two sides represented.  I will act exactly as I have on the recent issues, if the one-sided argument is a position I espouse, just like I did with those addressed here.  I believe that is my responsibility as a BoE member.

Q: Kevin, you had also indicated that (and I quote) "for two years, I've been dealing with teachers in the schools that have agendas that have nothing to do with the curriculum.......... " Are you saying that, at least in your case, teachers are indoctrinating kids with their own political agendas? Without risking the privacy of your children, would you care to comment on this?

A: I did not seek out the issue with my son’s Spanish teacher two years ago.  The teacher involved was out of line.

Q: Kevin, just one more specific question about one of the last meetings you attended. You wanted a list of philosophers whose works were taught in the schools? You objected to teachers having too much latitude in determining which philosophers were mentioned. How do you determine which philosophers are good and which are bad? Which should be mentioned in class and which should not? How do you determine which philosophies our children should be exposed to? Do you think, as some have said, that this kind of micromanaging should not prevail on a Board of Education?

A: Recently, when discussing the Philosophy class, I requested the complete list of Philosophers be listed.  There are classic Philosophers that are widely accepted for their prowess in the subject.  Some of them I agree with, others I do not.  However, as the son of a Philosophy Professor, I also understand the danger of leaving vague the full scope of this discussion in today’s politically charged climate. 

I actually do not advocate censorship, and have heard that label used inaccurately to describe my position on this subject, as well as Sicko being shown at the library. 

Q: Kevin, I was talking to someone the other day, and he said that you reminded him of an historical/literary figure - William Jennings Bryan as Brady in "Inherit the Wind". Do you see yourself as a modern day Bryan (Brady) who is trying to shape the minds of our children to what you believe?

A: I do not agree with our children being used as pawns in a political argument.  I don’t see myself  as Brady or in any grander terms than that of a father who cares deeply about his children that felt compelled to stand up for what I believe and be an example to my children.  To that end, my goal would be that anyone reading this article would know that I try to be careful not to use my position to push my values on anyone in the classroom, and I believe custodians of our children should do the same. 

Q: At the last Board of Education meeting, you continued to read aloud from a book that is used in school and that you considered not worthy. This was after the Chairman asked you a number of times to stop because this was not pertinent to the discussion at the time. Would you comment on this?

A: Another example of the need for greater oversight that came up last week was as a result of a book entitled, “The Rule of the Bone” by Russell Banks.  This book was recommended to my younger son in class as his assigned reading which he was graded on.  To know its inappropriateness for a 14 year old, you only need to read pg. 58.  There are other examples throughout the book that would also support its removal from the classroom.  As a parent, if I were to read this book out loud to my son in front of DCF agents, I believe they would feel I was not acting in the best interest of the child.  I base my opinion about this content on that.  I think the teachers should act with at least that amount of caution.  There are so many great books to engage young minds.  This one is not one of them.  But as a member of  the BoE I believe it is my job to be hyper-vigilant and hope other members will do the same.  I also hope the teachers will act with restraint when there is questionable content, and leave the parenting to the parents. 

Kevin, thank you. You will have a busy year. Items such as teacher evaluation, the budget, and merging the two high schools are only a few of the items on your plate. 

Editor's note: Mr. Kiner has written a response to the answers given by Mr. Fealy. That response will be published shortly.