To the editor:
At the Goodrich Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 22, all the board members reassured us that they would listen to the community if we came to hear the interviews for the hiring of the new superintendent. If so, a new chapter in history will unfold.
It was interesting to hear from Mr. Bertrand that he and the other board members were elected to perform this function. The interview schedule had to be rearranged around his work schedule, a work schedule that has kept him from attending a good number of the meetings, including the last one where the agenda was set. I wonder if many of the board members would have been elected had they been open and honest about their motives and/or levels of participation.
I suppose it would be an understatement to say that I have been critical of the board. It might also be wrong to assume that I have always been right or acted with cautious restraint. I have always acted and made suggestions with the best interests of the district in mind. This is my duty and yours. People, show up and give the board your input or we may end up with another superintendent like our last one. We need someone like our Interim Superintendent Mr. Larry Allen. He listens, he digs for the facts, he works till he is exhausted, he cares, and he has the experience and openness this district so desperately needs. You need to show up for the interview process, ask your questions, show you care, and voice your opinions to the board.
Give it one more try and maybe this time, the board will listen. Maybe then history won’t repeat itself.
Monday night your board president also stated that he didn’t see how leadership or the lack of could have affected the recent poor decisions made by a small number of our students. Follow along, Mr. President.
Ms. Brandi Kushuba and her student council cohorts came up with the idea of staging a function that might end the homecoming pranks. A bonfire or rally held during the week leading up to homecoming. What a magnificent thought. It’s proactive, it turns a negative to a positive, it’s outside the box, and it’s inspirational; it carries on the tradition of Mr. Phan, Ms. Minkler, and Mr. Krause. Like Mr. Doerr’s math, Mr. Duso’s English, the dedication put forth by teachers and staff, and the volunteer work of many in this community, this is the heart and soul of Goodrich. This is also true leadership. We can all learn from their insight. My hat is off to these students.
Mark Griffiths
Goodrich