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Money Equals Education How Precisely?

“But, it’s for the children.” Oh, sure, right. H’mmm, this is what’s going to happen. Later this evening I will receive a call from the Board President (elected along with the VP and Secretary once the new Board is seated), asking that I please stop rolling my eyes skyward during meetings. I tell him I cannot help it but will try which might be the only thing ever about which I am not entirely truthful. It seems a natural reaction, or talent as I prefer to regard it, and there are times I cannot help it. Other times I am quietly purposefully making a point.

When you hear, ‘It’s for the children,’ usually it is not. Period. It is the prefix to encouraging the board to vote for more spending.

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School Board Decorum

 

Decorum

‘Did I ask for a union?’ I don’t say this aloud. I’m trying. I ask our Superintendent during a meeting what exactly is the purpose of IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) because I am looking at a list of expenses and wondering what $25,000 or so for the year is actually worth. His reply is that it is the union for school board members; it represents us. Can’t wait to see that happen. It doesn’t. Recently I learn of several more unions/lobbying groups subscribed to by districts – Principals Assn., Staff Assn. and more. Big bucks, and for what? Weren’t these professionals experienced before being hired?

Oh, they do send a representative one evening – sad to say she is dull in its many meanings – to help us write our mission statement. I mean really. She has a flip chart and writes upon it ideas members suggest – somehow these are all going to come together for OUR district statement. As I recall, the next time it is recommended that we invite an IASB representative to ‘help’ or ‘direct’ us we all agree we would just as soon have an administrative member. And we do. Perfect.

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My Luck – Maybe it Is.

My first Board meeting. Members are seated at a U shaped desk facing rows of seats for attendees, of whom there are generally few. The Superintendent and his Secretary who is also Board Secretary sit here, too.

Date and starting time of meeting, the Pledge led by the Board President, and citizen’s comments precede the Superintendent’s Report and agenda items for discussion and subsequent voting, or not. Meetings are audio taped and put onto the District website so ‘stakeholders’ (more later on this) can listen and learn who says what and who votes how. Haven’t any idea how many do listen to these but best guess is, few.

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Introduction H’mmm

We are invited, he and I – he being the other newbie elected to the Board, the third has been on the Board for eons – to an ‘Introduction Meeting.’ The two of us sit at a short table, with long tables from it at which are seated the Superintendent and all of the Assistant Superintendents. They ask us questions, e.g., he is an environmental architect and he and his wife, have a baby; I have three grandchildren in another nearby district and a son who teaches school in another state. My purpose for wanting to serve, I say, is concern that our children be provided with basic academic education and hope to help ensure this.

Because a vote at our forthcoming first meeting on new math books (more than a million dollars) is listed on the Agenda I ask the Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Teaching for a copy of the book. Okay, I flunk algebra three times in high school but still I want a copy to take to a math teacher I trust to determine whether it is appropriate and so, worth voting for. The reply is they haven’t a copy available. Oh, no, wait a minute. You have only one copy of a book you’ve at the ready an order for enough of them to cost more than a million dollars? “Well,” she hesitates.

The Superintendent tells her to make sure I receive a copy. Thank you very much. Within a day or two I go to the office of Learning & Teaching and chat a bit with the Assistant Superintendent of L&T who is resigning soon to move to her Michigan lake house from where, I later understand, she can work in that state to earn yet another pension. I wonder aloud whether the Board ‘rubber stamps’ administration wishes. “Oh, my no.”

Getting the approval re the math book I determine to vote yes. As for ‘Oh, my no,’ I soon learn, in fact, the answer is ‘Oh my yes,’ not every time but most times.

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School Boards are Taxing Authorities

The filing deadline is days away. I download and print forms, gather petition signatures; head to the County Clerk’s office, once I find it, then take my official paperwork to the district administration office once I find it, both during a serious snowstorm – really, a blizzard arriving 15 minutes before five. You should’ve seen my hair.

Not ever having attended a school board meeting I am now a candidate. Will I win a seat? Evidently so since there are three openings and three candidates, including me. Now what?

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Who, What, When, Where, and Why

Who? That would be me; What? – School board; Where? – Chicago suburb; When? – 2011 and Why?…

Many reasons for many members – some parents want to be more involved in the education of their children; others are displeased with changing district boundaries or such and want to have a say in future decisions; some with not much else to do find being a school board member validates them and others recognize the opportunity for publicity for their insurance or real estate businesses; frequently members utilize the position as a springboard to further political office.

Here’s my Why: After retiring I move from the city to this charming suburb looking forward to reading, a lot; and writing, maybe a book at least; enjoying lunch sometimes with friends and best of all having fun with my three grandchildren who live fairly nearby. Okay, it’s not ALWAYS fun, but pretty much. At the time they are five, six and seven. Continue reading “Who, What, When, Where, and Why”