Remarks by Bill Wenmark, which he read at the February 17 special board meeting.
TonkaFocus obtained this text through a public records request to the Minnetonka Public Schools; the only changes made were to remove the names of Borowski family members.

   Madam Chair and members of the board, I want to thank you for allowing me this opportunity to present my recommendation for the process we will use to replace our open board seat previously held by Mr. Dave Eaton.
   I recommend that we appoint Mr. Paul Borowski to our open board seat. First and foremost Paul is the father of three daughters in the District, ______, ______, and _____. He and his wife______ have been very active with our public schools. Paul comes from the private sector and is a very successful businessman who works in a global economy. He brings a useful perspective to matters that will come before our board. Most relevant is that Paul was also a candidate in the most recent election. In the election he stood for promoting choice for all students in all schools, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment in our schools, and encouraging prudent budget decision-making. His was a simple, no-nonsense platform, with no controversial positions and no agenda.
(Editors' Note: There were some controversial issues in the school board campaign. You can read Mr. Borowski's remarks on Intelligent Design here.  You can read his remarks on International Baccalaureate here.  In addition, all candidate's remarks on a number of issues at two public forums are available on the TonkaFocus web site. Clear Springs forum here  League of Women Voters here)

   Paul received 2200+ votes. While he was not elected, it is clear that 2200 voices approved of what Paul had to say, a fact that should not be lost in this discourse. He was a very calm and clear voice on the issues. He conducted himself in a very professional and considerate manner during his campaign. In my opinion, we need his perspective on the board.
   It is clear that Minnesota state statute, 123B.09 does not set out the process we would use, except to identify the time difference between an appointment process and a special election, each of which is triggered by the unexpired term of being more or less than two years. This leaves the appointment process and procedure up to the majority vote of the board.
   Our founders knew the best form of government is that closest to the people. Our school board is a classic example of the devolution of this governance. We on this board serve our community. Our community, as we all know, is not a monolith. Our community, like others, is balanced by the fact that we can agree on many things but we may not agree on all things. Fundamental to the success of self-government is a process that assures that all voices are heard and considered in the government we institute among ourselves.
   In the creation of this representative form of government the founders established a process of elections where individuals, with one vote, cast the vote in favor of the person they think would best represent their interests. People also know that sometimes the person that they support may not be elected in this process. Yet the process, once completed, mandates that those elected should represent "all" the community not just the people that voted for them in the election. Elections are about ideas, concepts, beliefs, and a commitment to public service. People who offer themselves for public service are amongst the most honorable in our communities. Among the sacrifices candidates make is giving up their private lives, because they are subjected to the broad scrutiny of the public. Good ideas and good people are not always elected and sometimes the process of change takes time.
   All candidates in our most recent school board elections should be recognized and thanked for stepping up to the challenge to participate in the electoral process. Some candidates were supported by skilled and experienced marketing professionals. Some of the people who ran these campaigns were the leaders of successful referendum, fundraising, school support organization, and foundation work and mass community volunteer efforts. It should be recognized and affirmed that our last election was one of the most sophisticated, complex well executed election business plans we have ever seen. It has set a new, and might I say, very high standard for future elections.
   (Editors' note: TonkaFocus is not aware of evidence that any of the candidates hired marketing professionals.)
   Nonetheless, people put themselves up for this public review. The mass marketing and sophisticated election plan resulted in a very large turn out of voters. All but one of the candidates received over 2000 votes. While this vote is not a majority of the community of the voters eligible to vote, it is significantly larger than the previous board elections where only 675 votes were necessary to be elected to the board. In comparison, the lowest vote tally in this recent election would have been sufficient to be elected to the board in the previous election.
   (Editors' note: Four incumbents, Dave Eaton, Judy Erdahl, Peggy Stefan and Bill Wenmark ran unopposed in the last election, 2003. Total voters: 1,641. Erdahl, 703; Stefan, 703; Eaton 700; Wenmark 675)       
   Against this background, I have recommended that this Board appoint Mr. Paul Borowski to the open Board seat. Mr. Borowski, as my comments have indicated, received the highest number of votes among those candidates who were not elected to the School Board. That factor neither requires, nor prohibits his appointment to this Board. Let me detail, therefore, the factors which I believe are important for the Board to consider in the appointment of an individual to fill this position, and to detail why Mr. Borowski is the best candidate using those criteria.
   First, the individual we appoint should show evidence of their commitment to work on behalf of the School District and as a member of the School Board. By running a strong campaign for the School Board, Mr. Borowski has shown his willingness to serve and his commitment to that goal.
   Second, in order for the School Board to serve the interests of the community, its membership should reflect the diversity of views of the community. Mr. Borowski brings a perspective that brings strong support in the community, as evidenced by his votes in the recent campaign.
   Some suggestions have been made that we should not consider the number of votes that Mr. Borowski received in the recent School Board election, but should consider that those individuals who chose other candidates voted "against" Mr. Borowski. That is not the case. When voters are asked to choose three candidates from among a larger group, it cannot be said that those voting for other candidates voted against Mr. Borowski. In fact, it is highly likely that individuals who voted for other successful candidates also voted for Mr. Borowski. It is simplistic and unfair to suggest that a candidate who got more votes than Mr. Borowski evidences a vote against Mr. Borowski.
   Finally, an important factor for this Board to consider, in making the appointment, is not how to fill the Board with an individual who will simply add an additional voice to the existing majority of the Board.
   I believe that Paul Borowski' background will allow him to add an important viewpoint and voice to this Board. The votes of 2,200 citizens in the last election show that this viewpoint finds substantial support in this community.
   Diversity, debate and open-mindedness are, to me, essential ingredients for a seven member board that represents the diversity and differences of opinion in our community. We deliver, with everyone's tax dollars, an E-12 education that provides all our children the skills and abilities to articulate, communicate and develop their rightful and future roll to be representatives for themselves and their fellow members of the community. We instill amongst our students and employee's a tolerance of differences, and open mindedness that respects the broad, not narrow, views of our community.
   If our board majority is as strong as it imagines, then challenges to that strength from time to time should be seen as helpful in articulating the rational for the majority. The founders of our great country envisioned the passion of debate and differences of opinion being considered and discussed in the representative bodies of government of the people. This form of government requires tolerance by the majority of the minority  and visa versa. This school board of the whole community expects, and may I add, should look forward to the exchange of ideas. Madam Chair your comments this week in the Star and Tribune speak directly to the value that Dave Eaton's voice brought to the board, since the debate made a more rich experience for everyone as a result. A debate and vote on this board should not ply to the idea of winners and losers from the most recent election. One of the truest metaphors is at risk..."When you speak you only say what you know, when you listen you may learn something new."
   I urge my colleagues to appoint Mr. Paul Borowski to the open seat previously held by Mr. Dave Eaton. The will of the majority will not be impacted by this responsible and proper appointment. In fact, I believe the majority of the board will demonstrate its willingness to hear all "the voices" in our community. The majority on our board has a chance to bring the community together without losing the power and control you believe you have achieved in the election. Let us move to the openness of a democracy that is strong, vital and willing to see both sides of all issues. Prove to the community that you have ideas you are willing to have challenged from time to time. Appoint Mr. Paul Borowski to our open seat on the Board. He has earned this opportunity in our recent election. He has earned the opportunity to have his voice for the community heard at this board table. Just because we have never done something before does not mean we should not do the right thing?
   William H. Wenmark, member
   Minnetonka Board of Education
(Editors' Note: Bill Wenmark and Dave Eaton sponsored and endorsed candidates MaryLouise Bowe and Paul Borowski during the last school board election; their names appeared at the top of the candidate's supporter lists on their campaign web sites. The week before the election, Mr. Eaton and Mr. Wenmark paid for a mass mailing and four newspaper ads endorsing Pam Langseth, MaryLouise Bowe and Paul Borowski. TonkaFocus verified with Ms. Langseth that she didn't seek the endorsement of Mr. Eaton or Mr. Wenmark and was not aware they intended to finance mailings and ads endorsing her.)