EDITOR: For the past few months the Morgan Hill Times has given
prominent coverage to the accusations of three individuals who
claim that the Morgan Hill School District has acted improperly in
the conduct of construction projects. These accusations have no
substantiation and have never been accompanied by any document
supporting the charges. They appear to be designed solely to
discredit individual(s) and seem to be motivated by individuals
whose purpose is questionable at best and vindictive at worst.
EDITOR:
For the past few months the Morgan Hill Times has given prominent coverage to the accusations of three individuals who claim that the Morgan Hill School District has acted improperly in the conduct of construction projects. These accusations have no substantiation and have never been accompanied by any document supporting the charges. They appear to be designed solely to discredit individual(s) and seem to be motivated by individuals whose purpose is questionable at best and vindictive at worst.
The School Board holds a public meeting twice a month and public comment is a part of every meeting. Certainly when the first allegation was made at a meeting some months ago it was appropriate for The Times to print the comments. However many months have passed and the allegations continue but nothing is forthcoming to support the charges. In spite of the lack of any concrete evidence of wrongdoing, the Times continues to print them.
Case in point, the most recent article deals with an individual who told the Board his contract as Inspector of Record on district projects had been terminated. He further stated that an official of the Office of the State Architect said he must remain as the IOR since he knew what was going on. This second statement is false. When asked at the board meeting to produce the letter he spoke of, he could not do so. Other claims made are equally without merit but are allowed without substantiation.
Another tactic being used by persons of questionable purpose is to request voluminous amounts of information from the district. When these documents are supplied, more requests are made. he Public Information Act requires the district to provide materials when they exist but to make frivolous use of this requirement is a misuse of clerical and staff time which could better be used toward building our new high school or improving student achievement. It is ironic that the critics who complain about administrative costs are the same ones that are driving these costs with these demands.
The district has been involved in major construction efforts for the past four years: construction of a new elementary school, renovation of Live Oak High School, renovation of an existing elementary school, and construction of a new high school.
When many individuals work on multiple projects, disagreements over specific issues are bound to surface. However, disagreement over any decision made on a project does not constitute misbehavior on the part of the decision maker. Adults who work in collaborative environments know that their view or recommendation may not be the one that finally prevails nor does the decision constitute wrongdoing simply because of a disagreement. In my role, it is not unusual for me to have to weigh differing opinions and input when making decisions. Accusations of wrongdoing that have been communicated to the board and news media involve a decision that was made with concurrence from the Division of the State Architect. As the superintendent of my current and former school districts, I know that my recommendation may not be the one finally adopted, but I also know that when a decision is made, it is my responsibility to move forward. To do otherwise would make me guilty of wrongdoing.
The district has investigated charges made by these individuals by employing an independent consultant. Under the direction of the current school board, the district has hired a qualified professional with experience in large construction projects to oversee our projects and to examine the practices and procedures used by district personnel.
The Morgan Hill Times has given considerable space in their newspaper to the individuals who purport misbehavior but provide no evidence. It is time for the Morgan Hill Times to hold its sources accountable for their claims. It is wrong for The Times to continue using its trusted position in the community to further the cause of those with personal agendas without reasonable evidence. Ethical journalism requires ethical treatment of all the parties involved.
Carolyn McKennan, Superintendent,
Morgan Hill School District
