Dear Editor,
In response to ‘Group to spark Brandon School Board recall effort,? The Citizen, March 8, page 4). First, let me be very open and clear that my opinion comes with a decided bias. My wife is Brandon school board member Diane Wiley.
Diane and I attended the 9:30 a.m., March 8 videotape viewing of Board Superintendent Tom Miller’s hiring interview. Diane, not a School Board member during Miller’s hiring, felt a review of the interview important in order to help her bring perspective to his job performance.
It struck me as odd that if such a fury is erupting regarding Miller’s and certain board members? performance, that more concerned citizens were not present. In fact, other than Diane and me, in attendance were Bonnie Kerin, Kathy Stockley and Dustin Blitchok. Two of these people are behind the recall effort and the third, the high school student who has an opinion forum sanctioned by another daily newspaper. Opinions, I might add, that have expressed concern over Tom Miller’s behavior and actions, especially as they pertain to the Dr. Ferguson reassignment episode.
I am not writing to endorse or impugn Miller’s job performance. The school board is rightfully empowered to appraise Miller and make decisions regarding his status with the district. I believe they are doing just that as part of their regular duties through the contract review process.
In The Citizen article, Kerin was quoted, ‘We’re working to develop language for recall petitions for several, but not all board members.? Why is that? What is it about these specific board members that warrants Kerin’s recall initiative? Kerin goes on to say that ‘board members Milligan, Nuccio, Yuchasz, Allar and Wiley are targeted due to their support of Miller.? How does Kerin define ‘support of Miller?? Is she basing her belief on fact, records, public statements or other documented evidence? Or, is this just another opinion from an individual who may have very legitimate school district concerns, but chooses to voice them behind the scenes, lets others speak for her, or through the local media, rather than presenting them in the appropriate public forum known as school board meetings. Furthermore, isn’t a school board supposed to support their employee, the superintendent, for no other reason than wanting to move the district forward in a constructive, hopefully continuously improving fashion?
Kerin did not even have the decency to inform my wife personally that she was behind a recall effort that targeted Diane and other board members. Even though, following the videotape viewing this past Saturday, Kerin and Diane had a cordial conversation about school district issues and some of Kerin’s specific concerns. No, it took the arrival of The Citizen (at home) later that same day to learn of Kerin’s intent.
I believe this board makes final decisions as a unit. Not always consensus decisions, but majority rule decisions, as appropriate in our democratic process. I also believe that several school board members, yes, even some probably targeted for recall, took significant and appropriate action which encouraged Superintendent Miller to reinstate Dr. Ferguson as high school principal. ( I’m sure this entire situation will be scrutinized appropriately by this board and long term corrective action implemented accordingly.)
In closing, Diane and most likely all school board members take their elected positions seriously. They want what is best for the kids, for the district and for the community as a whole. They would love the support of the community in such a way as to promote harmony in advancing the Brandon school district. And, yes, input from the community relative to the performance of the superintendent.
I know firsthand how hard and effectively Diane works to be a conscientious board member. She conducts extensive research, she stays connected with all parties involved (students, administrators, parents and other board members), she attends school and community functions, but beyond all of that, her biggest attribute is that she cares.
It is time for Bonnie Kerin and others of similar mindset, while not compromising their beliefs, to work constructively in helping this school district and this board move forward. This recall talk is exactly the wrong direction in which our district needs to go. This kind of talk is destructive, disingenuous and, at its worst, vindictive. Not to mention the time and costs involved with such a course. If we truly want what is best for our kids and the district, then it is time to move forward folks.
Let the board do their job. Support the board in their efforts as participatory citizens. Above all, let’s all conduct ourselves with behavior and constructive actions that our community and kids can be proud to witness.
Jeff Wiley
Brandon School District Parent