Fifth District School Board Member overs vote swap for dropping of lawsuit

Mamie Taylor was perhaps a little too direct in her attempts to work the political machine.

February 5, 2015; 11:00 AM • by Richard Hayes

Mamie Taylor who is the 5th District School Board Member awoke this morning to find herself in the midst of controversy following last night’s closed School Board meeting.

RTD is reporting that Mamie Taylor asked School Board Member Kimberly Gray (2nd District) to back Ms. Taylor’s attempt to keep the travel stipend that School Board Members can now get for traveling to and from meetings from home. Previously Ms. Gray and wanted that stipend to be removed. In return for voting for the stipend Ms. Taylor offered to withdraw a disciplinary complaint against another School Board member. The stipend doesn’t equate to big money and is only $4.15 per meeting.

Taylor also offered to get the Richmond Coalition for Quality Education to back off their criticism of Gray.

All this occurred during a closed session which usually means, “what happens in closed session, stays in closed session”. Obviously this wasn’t the case which ratchets up the controversy and is sure to keep the she said, she said accusations flowing for weeks to come.