The scenario seems to play over and over in Toledo. Local leaders talk of “changing the way we do business,” “thinking outside the box,” or “finding a new direction.” As citizens/voters/taxpayers, we have learned to nod our collective heads and hope they really mean it. We’re used to the disappointment.

By choosing Ford, local leaders have once again closed the political circle, reviving the habit of recycling the same politicians in new positions.

That political circle is more akin to a hamster wheel, so that all we do as a community is run around in circles going nowhere.

Yes, Jack Ford does have an educational background. Yes, the former Toledo mayor has experience dealing with big budgets. Ford also has connections to many members of the current school board. But those relationships are steeped in politics as much as anything else.

Many critics already believe Ford set a poor example for TPS students in the way he submitted his name for the open board seat. While other candidates sent neatly-typed cover letters and resumes describing their background and experience, Ford submitted a barely-legible teacher’s application that contained incorrect information. The submission also arrived 10 minutes before the deadline.

In the private sector, an application like that for a job would never be considered, likely to end up in the rejection pile. It almost seems like Ford submitted his application with a level of disinterest. Ford even stated publicly he was surprised more people did not submit their names.

About a week later — and well after the deadline — Ford submitted a two page, neatly typed memo addressed to Board President Steve Steel and the other TPS board members. The former mayor outlined how he had helped TPS in the past, his educational background, and how he planned to assist the school district as a member of the board of education. Were the other candidates afforded the same opportunity to clarify their experience and aspirations after the deadline?

Jack Ford may end up being little more than a political placeholder for the two endorsed Democrats running for school board seats in November. Candidates Lisa Sobecki and Richard Brown were on the short list along with Ford, but only one seat was available.

It’s easy to see why a pair of ambitious school board candidates would want the early appointment, thinking it would give them a political advantage toward November. Either candidate would appear to the public as an incumbent in a few months, and it helps to put “retain” candidate X on an election sign, rather than “elect” so-and-so.

During a recent interview on WSPD’s “Eye on Toledo,” Ford stated he thought that was a poor political strategy — because Brown or Sobecki would have to make tough, possibly unpopular decisions right before the election. Ford’s appointment certainly prevents that from happening, all the more reason to believe his selection is driven by politics than what’s best for the education of our community’s kids.  

That left Ford and educational consultant Frances Dumbaya to be considered. Dumbaya has connections to watchdog groups critical of past school board decisions, so the votes would not be there. Dumbaya was on the wrong end of a 3-1 vote, supported only by board member Darlene Fisher.

In the end, what is supposed to be a non-partisan school board ended up mired in Democratic politics. Tell me again how that will fix the school board’s problems?

Kevin Milliken is host of WSPD-AM 1370’s “Eye on Toledo,” weeknights at 6 p.m.