EDITOR: Why CARE? Our members have not joined CARE simply to
recall four School Board trustees. Rather, we have contributed to
our schools and community for years.
EDITOR:
Why CARE?
Our members have not joined CARE simply to recall four School Board trustees. Rather, we have contributed to our schools and community for years. We will do everything in our power to effect the changes necessary for the good of our community. We have provided constructive suggestions to school board trustees and the administration: We have volunteered in classrooms and on committees; we have participated in Home and School Clubs; and we have taught the district’s students. We have not committed this time intending to complain; we have tried to work with the district for positive change.
However, there are critical issues facing this district, and the current School Board and district staff has consistently demonstrated an inability to work together for the good of the students in this community. An awareness of these issues needs to be raised in the community. What does the district need help with?
Let’s distill it down to five areas: Increased fiscal oversight, improved academic performance, open and honest communication, increased responsiveness to community input and improved management by district staff.
For the minority of this community still harboring any doubt, last week’s two-evening school board meeting, as reported in the paper, made it crystal clear what the first step needs to be: The superintendent, Carolyn McKennan, must be removed.
At the board meeting, McKennan rejected the notion that school board members have a right to question the cost of opening Sobrato, verbally attacking a board member for allegedly being disrespectful. The school board needs to be asking more of these questions, not fewer.
At the same meeting, a representative of the classified employees’ union demanded that the board reprimand McKennan for modifying and publishing proposed cuts to classified employees without forewarning the employees (or even the school site principals). McKennan is no longer able to work effectively with the unions.
Finally, a protracted argument about social studies graduation requirements resulted in the board rescinding a previous decision. McKennan and her staff had previously ignored the original high school graduation task force majority recommendation and misrepresented data to the school board. If they had not, the final graduation requirements decision would have been reached a month earlier. Meanwhile, the “old” board’s unwillingness to manage McKennan, their employee, or reprimand her for excesses continues unabated.
A new high school is being built and will open in August. We would love to celebrate. However, we’d first like to ensure that two sets of financial numbers are scrutinized: The bond money and the district budget.
First, how fast is the district spending the bond money and is the rate of spending tracking with the initial Sobrato building and Live Oak renovation plans? Can everything get built? Is there enough money to finish the promised Live Oak renovations? When?
Second, the recent district audit reported the district is spending $1.2 million more annually than it has in its operating budget. The audit cautioned each school site to ensure it only spends money if that money clearly exists in a budget. For example, after the bond money builds Sobrato, how is the district budget going to pay for the day-to-day expenses of running another school? The newer board members have echoed the concerns of the audit. We are sure the community shares our interest in the district avoiding bankruptcy. We expect all board members to demonstrate the same level of ownership and oversight.
We care enough to want the best for our district and our students. However, everyone who cares about this community needs to ask for a superintendent who feels accountable to the board, and a Board comprised of members who believe they are accountable to the community that elected it.
Victoria Battison,
Spokeswoman for CARE,
Morgan Hill
