"Trust" on the School Board

During the October 8, 2024 Richland 2 school board meeting a very short topic was Item 8.2 Board Self Evaluation Summary.

If you would like to hear the Summary (and lack of board comments), go to the YouTube recording of the meeting and fast-forward to 25:10.

On September 27 a special-called board meeting was held to conduct self-evaluations. As an official "meeting", that cost the District $2,784 (($384x6)+ $480). If you want to watch that Zoom meeting, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tO-IwKwe6o The length is 2 hours 23 minutes.

When the Sept. 27 special-called meeting was convened, there was a motion to approve the agenda. The vote was 6-0. Somebody was missing, but the Chair did not announce who was absent.

This is why I have, for years, recommended to the Board that the roll be called. It's such a simple, short step for the small school board (seven members). How long would it take? Twenty seconds?

Trustee Porter presented the key findings on October 8th. I suggest listening to the findings. To me, they sounded like general, canned, off-the-shelf suggestions, rather than hard-hitting, specific recommendations.

Later in the week three items from the Self Evaluations were posted on Facebook with the responses from the seven trustees. The responses were in percentages. Below are the questions, with the percentages. I've added the number of trustees in parentheses.

1. There is a high level of trust among Board members.

Responses:

Strongly agree 0% (0)

Agree 0% (0)

Neutral 28% (2)

Disagree 57% (4)

Strongly disagree 14% (1)

2. We do a good job encouraging and dealing with different points of view.

Responses:

Strongly agree 0% (0)

Agree 14% (1)

Neutral 14% (1)

Disagree 42% (3)

Strongly disagree 28% (2)

3. I feel I can speak openly about issues without the threat of retaliation.

Responses:

Strongly agree 0% (0)

Agree 14% (1)

Neutral 28% (2)

Disagree 28% (2)

Strongly disagree 28% (2)

This degree of dysfunction should not be tolerated on a school board.

What it indicates is an unwillingness to work together. The phrase "disagree without being disagreeable" does not apply to this school board.

Too often there are snarky and passive-aggressive behaviors. You see them at almost every board meeting.

What the public does not see are the behaviors between trustees that are not at open, public board meetings.

This won't be corrected on November 5. But your vote can mark the start of correction. 

Vote for candidates with real, live, business experience. Upper-Management expertise. Decision-making experience. Vote for those with executive experience, skills, and talent, rather than those who would be Managers.