The appointment of Talauna Reed as District 2 director was formalized through her oath of office on October 27 during the regular meeting of the Olympia School District (OSD).
President Maria Flores swore in Reed with the board and the members of the public witnessing her oath.
During the public comment section, a number of people welcomed Reed and lauded her organizational skills and enthusiasm for the work on the school board.
“I'm here to say I'm so excited for Talauna Reed to be on the school board. She's a really amazing organizer, and she's such a loving, empathetic person,” Nomi, a member of the public, said, “She has experiences that aren't otherwise being represented, and she had kids that went through the Olympia school district as well.”
Nomi added that Reed’s appointment should not be attributed to her past issues, “She's here because she has real skills, talents, and enthusiasm to bring to this work. So I want to commend all of you for bringing her into this position.”
Derrick, another attendee, also commented, “I wanted to thank the board for selecting Talauna Reed as the newest member of the school board. Her moral compass always points toward justice and fairness."
"She has a long history of speaking up for those who are often ignored. I know that with her on the school board, she won't allow any of our children to fall between the cracks,” added Derrick.
Public pushback
On the other hand, some attendees stated concerns about Reed’s qualifications and asked the board for a statement about her appointment to the board.
“I'm standing here to express not only astonishment but deep concern that each of you saw fit to appoint Miss Reed to a school board petition,” Felicia, a member of the public, said.
“Reed’s criminal history is extensive, standing at least 20 years,” she pointed out.
“Her conduct is not conducive to a basic code of conduct required of our students. I implore you all to reconsider this appointment. I humbly ask that you think about the implications this has for our students that need examples of character, honesty, integrity, and good citizenship, Felicia added.
An attendee named Frank also added, “I think that apparent extremism can disqualify somebody from serving on the school board, but here we are. The public, the voters, the parents of the OSD students, we are demanding a statement addressing these views and the relevance to Miss Reed’s appointment to the board.”
Reed spoke to the board and the public during the latter part of the meeting, and she expressed her gratitude to everyone.
“Thank you for showing up, and thank you to everyone that showed up for public comment, even those that oppose me. That is everybody's right. We have a right to oppose. I have a right to oppose police brutality,” Reed addressed the board and the public after her oath.
“I am just excited about doing this job and being a part of this. I am invested in this community. I am a part of this community, and I care about the city, especially the children, as you can learn so much from it,” continued Reed.
Reed will serve as the OSD’s District 2 Director for a one-year term through December 2023.
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psterry
I would be very interested to know the reasoning behind this appointment.
Friday, October 28, 2022 Report this
GeorgeOrwell
Did you not know that a serpent in the bosom, a mouse in a bag and fire in a barn give their hosts an ill reward?
Saturday, October 29, 2022 Report this
olyhiker
Incredible. What were they thinking? Or were they thinking?
Saturday, October 29, 2022 Report this
HarveysMom
The Board has explained Ms. Reed's qualifications and community organizational activities. I agree that her skills and networking connections will prove very useful to the Olympia School District.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 Report this
Anonymous
My thoughts and prayers go out to the students and parents that have to encounter this evil and hateful woman. Talauna Reed is not who she presents herself as and it will take only take a matter of time before the school board realizes they have made a horrible decision appointing her to this position. I know Talauna personally and have experienced who she truly is and it is not a good person at all.
Sunday, October 30, 2022 Report this
CAMartin
It's impossible for me to see this as anything but a horrific example of optics games, in this case with children paying the cost. Reed's utter disrespect for law enforcement shows vicious generalization; seeing her holding our police responsible for actions of others over a thousand miles away should be an immense red flag. Her criminal history-including domestic violence, is more than enough of a red flag...for most people.
This absolute lack of accountability is rewarding of horrible behaviors and choices...and utterly unworthy of any agency, but particularly a school board. Those responsible for this obvious "card" and "woke" gamesmanship are proof that optics, not ethics, are rife throughout Washington politics.
Monday, October 31, 2022 Report this
JW
The fact that anyone is letting this viper close to the children is a true disgrace.
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Report this
Olyman
She is not qualified to serve on the OSD Board! I am shocked at the current Board! Please concentrate on basic skills like reading, writing and math!
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Report this
MindyOrk
As a person who has lived next door to Ms Reed several years, I can agree with others that she is not what she claims her to be. I pray for God's judgement on all those to put evil in high places and give positions of authority and expertise to those undeserving of such praise. The old boys club has many faces, even black face. And as a person of color, who has faced true evil for most of my life, I can say with much sadness... this is an example of the same old devil in a different costume.
Friday, November 4, 2022 Report this