EDITOR: Let me compose myself. I had the misfortune to attend
Monday
’s school board meeting and was appalled by the inept
mismanagement of the my beloved district. As an educator, a parent
and a longtime resident of Morgan Hill, I have high
expectations.
EDITOR:
Let me compose myself. I had the misfortune to attend Monday’s school board meeting and was appalled by the inept mismanagement of the my beloved district. As an educator, a parent and a longtime resident of Morgan Hill, I have high expectations.
In November, the board after reviewing and assessing a two-year long study, voted on new high school graduation requirements, apparently without reading the accompanying information. These recommendations, compiled by the district’s secondary students, teachers and administrators, were brought forth, in a timely manner, and presented to the board. Yet, Trustee Mike Hickey, stated emphatically that the entire process was covert and underhanded.
Excuse me. I think the people who spent so much of their time and effort working on a two-year task force deserves much more respect than Trustee Hickey’s hasty allegations that they deliberately misled him into making an unsound decision. My supposition would be then, that Hickey must feel our parents, students, teachers and administrators have excess time on their hands and are willing to spend two years of their lives trying to pull the wool over his eyes. Trustee Del Foster, in comparison, stated categorically that no new evidence or information had been presented to the board at all.
Someone is lying to me. Someone is lying to the community, and our school board is wasting my and your valuable time and resources because they cannot read or do not choose to do so. The other possibility is that when our board members do read the information placed before them they either disregard it or are unable to comprehend its significance. Clearly, Hickey disrespects the work done by the public task force members and district employees.
At the board meeting Nov. 17, 2003, the board voted on new graduation requirements and boundary lines, and in less than 24 hours district personnel initiated the dissemination of all pertinent information for the incoming ninth and 10th graders for school year 2004-2005. Yet, less that two months later, graduation requirements have again been charged. With no reason why or justifiable argument, the board chose to, once again, show its lack of leadership by disregarding the efforts of its school personnel and condoning hundreds of wasted man-hours.
Their lack of boardmanship, regardless of board seniority, allows them to bicker amongst themselves, putting personal vendettas and discord above the needs of this district. It is with heavy heart that I say the school board is, without a doubt, incapable, wasteful, divisive and undeserving of the high honor Morgan Hill has accorded them by voting them into office. Morgan Hill deserves much better.
I stood before the board and reminded them that this is our governing platform. It cannot arbitrarily make global decisions only to rescind those decisions willy-nilly. No process was adhered to, no new information was presented to the public, and no one could say why the vote was under reconsideration.
Trustee Tom Kinoshita’s concern went unheard when he cautioned the board that rescinding board policy will set an unheralded precedence. Our school board is an embarrassment to this community and we, as community members have been culpable because we have allowed this to go on.
We have allowed the very few to whine, pule, manipulate, and adversely control our board without standing up for our rights. Our elected officials are not here for nefarious purposes, they are elected to conduct appropriate business on our behalf.
Well, let me assure you, we cannot trust one word that comes out of their mouths because their agenda is not in the best interest of the district. Do I think a recall is appropriate for four members of our board? Absolutely not. Take it to the November ballot box.
Maybe, business can then be conducted, promises can be kept, truths can be told, and the community can finally understand that the school board is directly responsible for the district’s integrity, not for and personal agenda or political stepping stone.
Andrea Bird,
Morgan Hill
Editor’s note: Andrea Bird is a counselor at Live Oak High School.
