LTE: Why Can't the Board Answer Questions?
The following letter appeared today in the Daily Herald. The issues here go well beyond just this one school district. Other district have handed out bonuses or attempted to do so anyway.
Why do many school board members hide behind their office? Why do many only want one board member speaking to the public? Why can’t school district be open and honest with the public?
I encourage all school board members to speak out, to answer questions and to make the district open its’ books for the public to see. You want the public’s trust and support, stop the evasive tactics; be open to listen and actually hear the public.
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I attended the June 12 school board meeting for Hawthorn School District 73, in which the school board approved a 1 percent performance incentive for all school administrators. The bonus was approved because the children of the district met or exceeded the state standards on the MAP scores or had made a year of progress. The vote was 5 to 2 for approval. I wrote a letter to Ms. Rattner, president of the board, requesting additional information that she could provide during the Aug. 28th meeting. My letter asked the following questions. 1) What was the total amount of money spent on school administrators for the 1 percent bonuses? 2) How many administrators received the bonus? 3) What was the metrics involved that determined the bonuses were warranted? 4) Did teachers receive any similar bonus for their efforts? Ms. Rattner responded to me with a letter stating, “The information you requested relating to compensation of administrators was provided at the meeting where it was discussed and approved by the Board.” |
