# Likeable, collegial President of Detroit School Board can barely read or write - Issue or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567 "2010-03-07T00:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/41 "2010-03-10T19:02:14Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > Geez. In any other school district I might side with those saying that if the guy is otherwise good at his job then he should be left alone to do it. But coming a day after reading that Detroit’s students have just scored [the lowest performance in the history of the National Assessment of Educational Progress](http://www.freep.com/article/20091208/NEWS01/91208020/Detroit-students%5C--scores-a-record-low-on-national-test), I’m going to say no: Detroit is in crisis-mode, and is going to need the very best people possible to dig themselves out of this hole, and that should include people who can sit up late at night writing memos and appeals in comprehensible English. Exactly. Not to mention the fact that the high school graduation rate in Detroit proper is around _25%_. That’s it. It’s not like this guy’s doing a great job, here. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/42 "2010-03-10T19:12:35Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > Maybe I’m being whooshed here, but the article mentions that he is a college graduate, and it’s implicit that he has a learning disability. It also mentions that his degree was held up for _ten years_ because he “repeatedly failed an English proficiency exam.” It sounds like poor writing isn’t his only problem. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/43 "2010-03-11T02:24:52Z")
I assumed he failed the exam because of his poor writing skills. In any event, I was responding to someone else’s comment that he was uneducated. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/44 "2010-03-11T18:29:33Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > I assumed he failed the exam because of his poor writing skills. In any event, I was responding to someone else’s comment that he was uneducated. I suppose you could say he was educated, although I wouldn’t be bragging about my degree or my college if it took me ten years to pass an English test. I’m assuming it’s his native tongue. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/45 "2010-03-12T01:46:58Z")
Yes, I think it is his native tongue, and it did take him 10 years to pass the test. So, what’s the alternative? He’s uneducated? OK, I can accept that. ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/46 "2010-03-13T13:51:35Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Are you serious? A near-illiterate running a _school board_? You actually have to ASK? He’s a horrible example if nothing else: “Isn’t it great to know how far you can get without knowing how to write?” He should be fired immediately, along with the people who hired him and let him stay. > > The entire city of Detroit is a basket case. This is just one more indication of that. Hmm… > [@](#): > > Per this article the President of the Detroit School Board barely has a grade school command of English grammar and syntax. Otherwise he seems like a reasonably intelligent and likeable fellow, praised for his people skills and consensus building abilities. Should his inability to write coherently make him ineligible for the presidency of the school board or not? or > [@](#): > > Per this article the President of the Detroit School Board barely has a grade school command of teamwork skills and consensus building abilities. Otherwise he seems like a reasonably intelligent and likeable fellow, praised for his command of English grammar and syntax. Should his inability to lead effectively make him ineligible for the presidency of the school board or not? Yeah. I’ll take option 1 any day over option 2. ---
**Author:** ![JWWJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@JWWJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWWJ)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/47 "2010-03-13T19:16:16Z")
Add the corruption and embezzlement that persists throughout the Detroit school system ([http://michigan-blogger.com/detroit-public-school-system-exposed/](http://michigan-blogger.com/detroit-public-school-system-exposed/)) to the incredible graduation rate of 25%, and it’s clear they need something much more than someone who “seems” reasonably intelligent and likable, and is praised for having people skills. It will take much more than a smile and people skills good enough to get you elected to the Detroit school board to fix the education woes. Yes, _real_ intelligence (not “seeming” intelligence) is something this city needs. They also need real passion to change things, and real desire to do something which benefits someone other than themselves at the most selfish and ego-driven level. The fact that this man is still barely literate, despite 10 years studying to pass a proficiency test for his native language, is a problem. But the Detroit residents elect school board officials just like they elect mayors and city council members. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/48 "2010-06-22T13:00:08Z")
Hopefully this doesn’t count as a zombie thread, because there’s even _more_ great things about Otis: [He jacked off while in one-on-one meetings with a female superintendent](http://www.detnews.com/article/20100622/OPINION03/6220376/Mathis-puts-DPS-board-at-new-low). But, y’know, it’s apparently a medical condition. And a DPS board member defends him, saying > [@](#): > > Like I say, it’s not that uncommon for people to behave in that fashion, especially if the person is coming on to them. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/49 "2010-06-22T13:19:09Z")
Well this is certainly an unexpected twist. Zombie or not, thanks for the update. Maybe he ought to hook up with Alvin Greene, the SC senate candidate who’s facing charges of showing porn to a coed. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/50 "2010-06-22T14:04:03Z")
> [@CutterJohn](#): > > Hmm… > > or > > Yeah. I’ll take option 1 any day over option 2. How about an option 3: The new President of the Detroit School Board has an excellent command of English grammar and syntax, and is a reasonably intelligent and likeable fellow, praised for his people skills and consensus building abilities. Should his inhibition about masturbating in front of female staffers make him ineligible for the presidency of the school board or not? I’m going to say no. How about you? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/51 "2010-06-22T14:28:15Z")
On the one hand, it is a school board. On the other hand, apparently there’s no literacy test required, and if the people of Detroit failed to require their school board presidents be fully literate, tough titties. That’s how democracy works; if you don’t set specific eligibility requirements, you might end up electing somebody who is patently unqualified. On… um… the third hand, I have this thought: who better to help the children of Detroit succeed despite poor educations than this guy? ETA: Missed second page. On the fourth hand, people who jack off in meetings probably shouldn’t be school board presidents. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/52 "2010-06-22T15:40:58Z")
Detroit public schools suck :: The Detroit school board president is near illiterate. Seems to be a high correlation. But if that’s what the residents of Detroit want…that’s what the residents of Detroit get. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/53 "2010-06-22T15:50:09Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Hopefully this doesn’t count as a zombie thread, because there’s even _more_ great things about Otis: > > [He jacked off while in one-on-one meetings with a female superintendent](http://www.detnews.com/article/20100622/OPINION03/6220376/Mathis-puts-DPS-board-at-new-low). > > But, y’know, it’s apparently a medical condition. And a DPS board member defends him, saying [Spin]He is an enthusiastic advocate of safe sex![/Spin] ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/54 "2010-06-22T15:51:48Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] Hopefully this doesn’t count as a zombie thread, because there’s even more great things about Otis: He jacked off while in one-on-one meetings with a female superintendent. But, y’know, it’s apparently a medical condition. And a DPS board member defends him, saying [/QUOTE] I think we should applaud his initiative in taking matters into his own hands and multitasking. He was so dedicated to education issues that he focused on them even during his personal time. Seriously, wtf? What kind of an idiot think that this is appropriate behavior? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/55 "2010-06-22T16:52:54Z")
Well hell - if you can get away with being a school board president who cannot write a coherent sentence, why wouldn’t you be able to get away with being a school board president who bops the baloney during meetings? Regards, Shodan (who has sat thru a school board meeting or two without feeling the need to take matters into my own hands) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/56 "2010-06-22T17:05:01Z")
I know meetings can get boring, but **damn** , resorting to that is extreme. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/57 "2010-06-24T09:01:32Z")
Well. it could be how he learned to spell. “Cat” again. There’s probably a cat in that log. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/58 "2010-06-24T17:06:17Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Hopefully this doesn’t count as a zombie thread, because there’s even _more_ great things about Otis: > > [He jacked off while in one-on-one meetings with a female superintendent](http://www.detnews.com/article/20100622/OPINION03/6220376/Mathis-puts-DPS-board-at-new-low). > > But, y’know, it’s apparently a medical condition. And a DPS board member defends him, saying The DPS board member (heh) quoted also defended school board president Mathis by pointing out his youth, saying he is still learning the rules of deportment and etiquette at his tender age of 56… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567/59 "2010-07-03T17:46:50Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Detroit public schools suck :: The Detroit school board president is near illiterate. > > Seems to be a high correlation. But if that’s what the residents of Detroit want…that’s what the residents of Detroit get. Yes, as someone who was born in Detroit and lived in that area for many years, I am convinced that Detroiters are often their own worst enemy. The current shitty state of affairs is so entrenched in Detroit that a lot of people are willing to defend the status quo. A lot of people will also make any attempt to criticize poor-performing politicians or administrators in Detroit into a racism issue. A lot of people were crying that the negative backlash against the infamous Kwame was just a racist thing. I recall seeing a profile on CNN of [Geoffrey Canada](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Canada) and being really impressed by how he sets high standards for the kids and doesn’t make excuses for failure. That is the sort of leader that Detroit needs. I believe people will rise to the expectations set for them. If you tell kids that it’s okay that they can barely read or write, then they won’t strive for anything better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likeable-collegial-president-of-detroit-school-board-can-barely-read-or-write-issue-or-not/531567.md?page=2)