THE UNION LIE
QUESTION:
“I keep hearing that Stand Up Blue Valley is a ‘front’ for ‘The Teachers’ Union,’ KNEA, BVNEA, BVEA, or other unions. Is this true?”
ANSWER:
This is a LIE. It has been intentionally told about our organization of parent and community volunteers since 2016.
QUESTION:
“But your group accepts donations from ‘The Teachers’ Union.’ Isn’t it well-documented?”
ANSWER:
This is a LIE. NO such documentation exists, because our all-volunteer organization accepts NO money from ANY union, teachers’ group, PTO, or PTA. We NEVER have. We NEVER will. ALL donations to SUBV are on file with the KS Secretary of State’s office. We are a transparently funded organization and file finance reports required by law.
QUESTION:
“So why would people make up that story about your group in the first place?”
ANSWER:
It goes back to 2016, when traditional Republicans stepped forward from the Johnson County business community to run against Brownback Republicans in the August 2016 primary for the Kansas Legislature. Numerous Stand Up Blue Valley volunteers put countless hours into helping the traditional Republican candidates with their campaigns – though the candidates themselves had stellar qualifications and did the hard work to win. During the 2016 campaign season, the Brownback Republicans concocted a false narrative about SUBV in a last-ditch effort to gain votes. They called Stand Up Blue Valley moms and dads “thugs for the teachers’ union.” It was a LIE then. It is a LIE now.
Do we value, respect and support teachers? Of course! Do we have positions and goals in common with teachers associations? Of course. However, we have NO affiliation with ANY union and take no position on unions. We do not confer with any union or group on our positions, statements or endorsements.
QUESTION:
“But some current state legislators and candidates for office claim you represent ‘The Teachers’ Union.’ Why would they say that?”
ANSWER:
Because they regularly LIE about many things. And SUBV calls them out on their lies – along with their abysmal voting records, outside-district and dark-money campaign donors, false and misleading public statements, lack of transparency, failure to hold public town-hall meetings with constituents, and political associations. We hold their feet to the fire on matters related to our kids and their Blue Valley schools. By discrediting our group of parent and community volunteers, they cast doubt on the facts we share and our work to better educate voters in this community.
QUESTION:
“But there are private groups and blogs online that post about how you represent ‘The Teachers’ Union.’ And that SUBV helped to ‘close Blue Valley Schools last year.’ Why would they claim that?”
ANSWER:
Excellent question. Why WOULD they LIE to you? (And such outrageous, repeated lies, at that. None of these claims have a shred of truth.) What else might they be lying about - and why?
QUESTION:
“OK, so maybe you don’t represent any union. But all you do is endorse Democrats!”
ANSWER:
This is another LIE. SUBV is NONpartisan. We ALWAYS have been. We endorse candidates whose campaign positions and voting records support our kids and their Blue Valley schools, regardless of political party. Our steering committee consists of Republicans, Democrats and Unaffiliated members. Same with our community advisory board. With varying political views, our meetings can invoke spirited debate - but we ALL unite around protecting the schools our community’s kids depend on. People move to Blue Valley for the excellent schools. Businesses locate here for strong schools and a well-educated workforce. As our schools go, so goes our community. This is the common thread that unites us and inspires our volunteer work.
QUESTION:
“I do know Stand Up Blue Valley parents from my kids’ schools. Most volunteer at school and seem like regular moms and dads. How can I learn more?”
ANSWER:
You can ask us when you see us at events, at the grocery store, the neighborhood mailbox, or wherever we happen to be. Lots of people do! You can also learn more by following our page, reading our posts, and giving thought to why a bunch of volunteers would donate so much time and effort to inform your vote - over many years - for FREE. When you read posts by Dave Trabert (who is PAID by the Kansas Policy Institute – a dark-money outfit that keeps its donors private), the Sentinel (LOL, it’s a KPI publication not an actual, reputable news source) or the “Kansas Chamber'' (a Koch-backed entity that is NOT a chamber of commerce like we have here in Overland Park), con$ider what tho$e individual$ and $ecretive organization$ have to gain by $waying your opinion and your vote.
QUESTION:
“Are you telling me that nobody pays you ANYTHING to run Stand Up Blue Valley? At ANY time? EVER?”
ANSWER:
Yes. We are telling you that because it’s true. Our organization is 100%-volunteer and always has been for the past six years.
QUESTION:
“Look, I moved to Blue Valley for the schools. I was NOT happy with the 2020-21 school year – for many reasons. But, in the end, I want quality schools in my neighborhood, along with good property values, and a strong local economy. Is that why I should support Stand Up Blue Valley?”
ANSWER:
YES! We moved here for the schools, too. And we value everything that comes from living in a community with excellent public schools. Please stand with us to protect your investment in our kids and our hometown(s). That’s literally the only reason Stand Up Blue Valley exists in the first place.