Catch the District's homepage today

Be sure to catch the District's homepage today at www.Richland2.org

The schools' re-opening plan is featured.

The new officers of the board for 2020-2021 are shown.

The superintendent's photo and mention of his evaluation got the most important position which, for a newspaper or a webpage, is top right. And his photo got the largest size; larger even that the three photo sizes of the board's officers, combined.

The gushing comments of Amelia McKie, trustee-elect of the school board (and unofficial member of the board since November 13, 2018), are almost over-powering. She spoke with the same glowing terms at the board meeting. If she were an employee, you'd think she was looking for a promotion.

The superintendent was awarded an "overall distinguished" evaluation, along with a one-year extension of his employment contract to 6/30/2024.

The District's web article did not mention that the vote on his evaluation and contract was 6-1, not unanimous. The article also did not mention why the vote was 6-1, although the dissenting trustee did speak up and inform the public. Her reason was significant and should have affected the evaluation. But she is in the minority on the board.

The Board majority (the "Squad") will band together and get everything it wants, and it will give the superintendent everything he wants. There are four (sometimes five) who rule the roost. And not just because a majority of four out of seven will control. It's "which" four.

The public, the voters, is entitled to seven independent minds looking carefully at everything it is to control and direct. That hasn't been the case for some time. I wonder sometimes if certain members of the board even bother to read all the material on which they will be expected to vote at a board meeting. There is no reason to think that will change now.

I recall one board meeting when a trustee asked a question of a staff member after a presentation had been made. Somewhat hesitantly, but bravely, that staffer said (something like), "That information is in the board packet that you got before the meeting." Obviously, that trustee had not read the material in the board packet. How often does that happen?