David Gerard’s continued presence on school board sends the wrong message
Published in the January 6 – 19, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Gemma M. Abels
Gemma M. Abels
I have addressed the school board several times about my concerns regarding the intractable nature of board meetings. Emails published in the local media last month that were written by David Gerard reveal that he played a pivotal role in ongoing conflicts between board members and community members. In fact, he uses insulting nicknames and demeaning statements about his colleagues and district leadership to incite the public about upcoming board votes.
While his offensive words target several groups, as a teacher of young women, as the leader of an organization that represents women, and as a woman who often speaks before the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education, I cannot excuse the cumulative effect of his demeaning and sexist remarks. It is this sort of objectification that stops women and girls from seeking positions of power and authority.
Gerard’s sexist remarks were contained in communications with Robert Guynn, a former leader of Parents for Positive Change. The worst of these remarks are direct and specific descriptions of former Trustee Amy Porter Jensen’s looks and clothing. He even uses Porter Jensen’s looks as the basis of a professional assessment (Gerard is a trained psychologist) that he shares with Guynn.
In a series of emails, Gerard and Guynn joke about the scandal that would occur if members of the Gold Rush, the 49ers professional cheerleading squad, were photographed with the superintendent. They imply not only that these pictures would be considered inflammatory by the public, but also that these young women would willingly be complicit in posing for such photographs.
David Gerard
Gerard also sent Guynn a fictitious news story to cheer up his friend. In the story, Gerard includes a young Mexican woman who was accused of drug smuggling and prostitution. Mr. Gerard certainly understood the offensive nature of these comments since he did not include similar content in emails to several female community members.
In one email addressed to a mother, Mr. Gerard refers to President Jimmy Carter as “a moral role model.” In the email, he says that Carter would advocate for school leadership that is “kind,” “moral,” and “hard working.” I would remind Mr. Gerard that President Carter would include in that “moral” behavior leaders who champion equality and respect for women. In fact, Carter severed his ties with the Southern Baptist Convention because they continue to proclaim women as being “subservient” to men.
In his statement “Losing My Religion for Equality,” the former president states: “The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us.”
Mr. Gerard’s remarks have damaged this community and his continued presence on the board will teach children this damage is acceptable. Mr. Gerard’s remarks make it harder for us to teach young men to respect women at all times.
What they will learn from him is that objectifying women is natural in the company of other men. If this community allows Mr. Gerard to continue as a board member, we are teaching another generation of young women that sexism is a natural part of everyday life for every woman.
Gemma Abels is president of American Federation of Teachers 2022. She wrote this guest column for Morgan Hill Life and it is her opinion.
