tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post2734087802502544329..comments2023-05-16T02:27:49.807-07:00Comments on Look Before You Land: This is no Maytag! (Sorry for the long, long post here! The good stuff is at the bottom)John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-20955733478675226632010-09-26T18:22:30.982-07:002010-09-26T18:22:30.982-07:00Way to go John! You did an amazing job, and it is ...Way to go John! You did an amazing job, and it is good to have another perspective on things.<br />Just an FYI to add to your thought process - the current rescind of the early release thing in the district is due to the fact that the teachers are currently working without a contract - something that has apparently happened since board meeting. The policy is for contracts to revert back to previous conditions, which were signed before the new early release thing was in place - that was 2 YEARS or more ago...<br />things are heating up vs cooling down and if things dont change very quickly they are going to go from the frying pan into the fire. Would love to get your thoughts on that...Rory Baxterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12613512016583127864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-70805018823038766812010-09-15T09:57:40.969-07:002010-09-15T09:57:40.969-07:00Great post! One thing that is different in a publ...Great post! One thing that is different in a public school district vs. a private corporation is the complexity of roles. Teachers and other district staff typically live within the district which makes them shareholders as well as employees. Many also have children in the schools which also makes them customers. Because the Board has been told repeatedly not to talk to anyone outside of Board meetings, staff and community feel they have no other venue for raising concerns about management. That only adds to frustration and anger. Yes, there are grievance procedures in place which seem to work fairly well except when the grievances center on the superintendent. The Board's failure to respond to the vote of no confidence last year leaves people feeling that their complaints will not be heard. That is coupled with rumors that the superintendent has threatened to fire staff members for complaining about his management and his decisions. A lot of it does center on communication and I like your suggestions for informal meetings in which the Board can actually talk with (not just listen or talk at) staff and community members.KShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12265903587233936276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-11132973250528377532010-09-15T09:41:25.344-07:002010-09-15T09:41:25.344-07:00Thank you for being willing to "put yourself ...Thank you for being willing to "put yourself out there".<br /><br />First off, I must say I am sorry I was not in a position to be there to support you. I will try to be more available to attend in the future; of course it is a challenge given it is FHE, etc. No excuse, just a challenge (that is not why I was not there - I was not feeling well that night). I have attended schol board meetings in Philomath when we lived there and it seems that what you described is fairly typical with one exception. There wasn't as much verbal support for the outspoken individual in that public setting as you got even though in private people did voice support for the concerns raised.<br /><br />Now my viewpoints on what you wrote - <br /><br />1) All the individuals from the Board on down to the individual teachers are there to serve the community - public servants. So they have a fiduciary reponsibility to work and conduct their duties for the public good and when they fail to do that they are failing in meeting the public trust that has been placed in them. When this point is reached they either need to correct their approach/behavior quickly (repentance is a good thing!) or be removed from the position that they are in.<br /><br />2) I do not see any real reason that they cannot sit at the same table. Afterall, they are an organization and should be allowed to function as such. If they function in the appropriate manner described in point one above, this can even be helpful. If one or more behave outside the norm of their appointed position this can allow for easier correction as well. Just a thought.<br /><br />3) You mentioned the employees having a means of going above their manager if they have a gripe - in some businesses this is referred to as an open door policy. You referenced whether or not there was such a policy in the district and if the teachers and others felt that they had an awareness of its existence. These are good points but I think there is one additional one that needs to be pointed out. That the employees need to know and feel that there will be no retribution for having aired their complaints. If that trust level is not there, then any open door policy is not worth any paper or web page it is written on. In fact, it is worse as it becomes a lie and the real policy is the practice; not the written word.<br /><br />Again I say "BRAVO" for your willingness to stand up for some much needed change in our school board.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09289054315254835924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-14204583402359228142010-09-15T09:17:52.969-07:002010-09-15T09:17:52.969-07:00John, you did a great job, but it was only ,too, p...John, you did a great job, but it was only ,too, prevelant at the meeting that your comments had little affects with the board. It appears that they did all they could to prevent you from sharing "private" information at a public mtg. Info. that needed to be shared. You think they would be concerned with what the public has to say? It was my first board mtg., too and I walk awway with the same conclusions...but it definitely won't be my last. I will be back next month.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-9765710643290623782010-09-15T09:15:31.947-07:002010-09-15T09:15:31.947-07:00Amen! Yes, board meetings are like trying to get a...Amen! Yes, board meetings are like trying to get a moment in front of the king. The Superintendent having personal relationships with theboard members is a conflict of interest. Yet, it does happen, particularily in smaller towns. The School Board members must be reminded of their JOB. I applaude you, John and supprot you 100%! Go get 'em!Sistah Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-20817910121166889192010-09-15T08:37:35.630-07:002010-09-15T08:37:35.630-07:00I think you have really hit the nail on the head. ...I think you have really hit the nail on the head. I appreciate what you are doing - I believe it reflects what many of us are feeling, but haven't been able to put into words as clearly and eloquently as you have. One other thing I would add to your comparison/contrast of the School Board vs. a Corporation is our students ... maybe they are our customers or our shareholders or definitely the end product! The bottom line should be about them - not about the top of the organization.BoyMomof2https://www.blogger.com/profile/00187904911022356378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-59421629753354096792010-09-15T08:28:52.444-07:002010-09-15T08:28:52.444-07:00As someone who has been two WAY more meetings than...As someone who has been two WAY more meetings than you have (two, I believe) I can tell you that your description of the meeting is typical.Ringleaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10633915941108596218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-79477832871315893262010-09-15T07:32:33.004-07:002010-09-15T07:32:33.004-07:00Wow! Better watch it or you will running for offi...Wow! Better watch it or you will running for office. You go dear! You already know that I support you 100% and think it's about time people were held accountable.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04654618431263764046noreply@blogger.com