For a long time I’ve been quietly pleased with myself in how I supported my children’s education. Our school’s parents raised a good amount of money, put together great events, and brought many smiles to kids? faces.
Removed from my everyday concerns were our Board of Education and the people who ran for it during last board’s elections. I didn’t know much about them. I did care, of course; but there were soccer, skating, and dance. I had kids, you know. Who had the time? They could surely figure it out.
Fast-forward two years. On Sept. 8, 2014, nearly 200 of Clarkston’s teachers stood united in front of the Administration Building, asking for respect. Here, in Clarkston!
This was happening not in some far-away land, but at our great school district. And these were not some demanding agitators, but our family, our friends, our teachers. How have we come to this?
Since earlier this summer, the teachers union has been negotiating a new contract for educators; still, when the old contract expired in August, nothing was ready to replace it.
Sadly, this seems to be the tip of a deeper formation. We, parents, trust teachers with our kids; their hearts and minds. Yet, some teachers say they don’t feel they’re trusted to do their jobs.
Teachers are not the only ones who feel this way. ‘Administration and board’s priorities are getting lost between the lines of numerous reports and shift away from our children’s education,? stated a letter from May 12, which 15 parent leaders from nine Clarkston schools submitted to the board of education.
They asked the board ‘to work together on premises of trust and ethics.?
What has been happening at our district?
Clarkston, like most public schools, is facing challenges: funding issues, outdated technology, aging infrastructure, and personnel needs, to name a few.
Yet, the district’s progress in many areas appears to be bogged down by the board members? personality conflicts and mutual distrust. Coupled with some members? apparent mistrust of district leadership, it results in an alarming behavior, scrutiny, and recurring delays. This couldn’t be good for us.
On June 23, Steve Shotwell and Ken Crawford ? highly reputable technology consultants from IDS – walked out during a workshop with the Board and ceased their relationship with our schools.
The workshop was held in the Board Conference Room, allowing for very limited public presence. ‘Board members discussed work done with the technology consultants? is its only record.
‘I noticed that no one was taking notes or minutes’While one of the consultants was talking, a board member cut him off by beginning to speak.
When he attempted to continue, this board member pointed a finger at him and said in a very condescending tone, ‘You’ll let me finish!?? recalls Melissa Rykse, the only audience member at the meeting.
When allowed to speak, the consultant ‘made several points, including that the board (or some members) did not trust the expertise of the administration and, in his experience, wanted to be involved in too many details.
After complimenting our schools? staff, the consultants declined to further work with the district as they were not a good fit with our board.??
This seems in line with a reference from the prior, June 9 meeting: the board was to meet with the consultants ‘regarding a more detailed analysis. This would be a two-hour meeting.? By then, Shotwell had presented to the board twice.
How can we, the public, know the truth? The minutes reflect no such occurrence. There was a request at the next meeting to revise these minutes.
Approval was to take place ‘at a later date.? At the later date, Aug.11, the request was denied because the minutes ‘are several weeks old.?
What truly is distressing, however, is that so much needed renovation of our technology systems was put on hold.
Hours of valuable meeting time were spent on the extension of the Superintendent’s Contract (it customarily happens immediately after a satisfactory evaluation).
On Feb.10, teachers, parents, and students urged the board to extend the contract, nearly two months overdue, and emphasized Dr. Rock’s leadership, inspiration, focus on educational culture, and positive effects on students.
After a long dispute, the board voted to act on the contract at the next meeting. Surprisingly, next two meetings? agendas didn’t reflect this decision.
It wasn’t until a board member publicly requested an agenda revision that the contract was lengthily discussed and approved on March 10.
Now the board is contemplating when to evaluate the superintendent. On-going debates over a few months? difference already seem somewhat disproportionate, but taking attention away from our kids and focusing it on paperwork, at the beginning of a school year, is hardly beneficial to our schools.
Back to Sep. 8, following the picket, the audience gathered for the meeting. People addressing the board echoed the same concerns, questioning how truly it represented its constituents.
‘This board doesn’t represent me, a parent of two children. You repeatedly take the focus away from learning by concentrating on the minutiae of a superintendent’s review, not using the accord process for teacher contract negotiations, holding up the purchase of a student information system??(Mary Herzenstiel).
‘I’m concerned that you are elected to represent the Clarkston Community and you’re not truly representing them. I brought my child here because of the changes in our district’In the way Dr. Rock is being spoken to and treated, he won’t stay. In my classroom, we’d call it bullying?? (Laura Cadreau).
‘Our people want to feel valued. Let’s work together!? (Brooke Davis).
‘It’s time to work constructively and get it done!? (Lisa Boor).
Here we have it – picketing teachers, walking-out consultants, a scrutinized superintendent, concerned parents, and board members that apparently just cannot figure it out.
And who is to blame? I’d say ? it’s me and you. By not caring enough to know, collectively, as our Clarkston Community, we allowed this to happen. Will we allow this to continue?
On Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. CJHS will host the Board of Education Candidates Forum. Three seats are being vacated; five candidates will be on the ballot in November. Whom we elect will determine the direction of our district and potentially affect every one of our kids.
There are many ways to help our children’s education.
Yet, I’ve come to realize, our most important role is not in raising money or running events; it is in taking personal responsibility for actions of those whom we elect to govern our schools. To them belongs the power to direct our administration, but the power to direct them belongs to us.
Oct.16 – one day, one hour. Yes, we have soccer, gymnastics, and dance, but we also have’kids.
***
The Board of Education meeting minutes can be accessed from CCS web site, www.clarkston.k12.mi.us. Board of Education meeting videos are available on the Independence Television web site.
Arina Bokas is president of Clarkston PTA Council and vice president of Bailey Lake Elementary PTA.