PUSD School Board April 5, 2016

I can write until my fingers cramp and truly not capture the realities of the dysfunction of the Board of Education for the Poway Unified School District. I don't want give the picture or belief the entire board is the cause of this dysfunction. The easiest way for people to make this judgement is to attend or watch video of the School Board in action. The PUSD videos all board meeting and places them on their web site for the community to view. (Click HERE for link)

I have viewed the video from the April 5, 2016, board meeting several times. I took the time to break out segments of the meeting to highlight some of the dysfunction, unprofessional and at times hostile words among boards members. Like public comments, it appears civility and professional decorum is no longer the norm, but more of the anomaly. 

At the board meeting on the 5th, the actions of board members that caught my attention started around the 2:09 mark in the video. Starting with "First Read" item F212 Revisions to Board Policy 4.123 Sexual Harassment. The discussion regarding the changes being proposed had me scratching my head. Did I understand clearly Ms. Beatty's concerns? She didn't want mandatory reporting of Sexual Harassment if the law did not mandate it? That this would in some way create a liability to the district when reported? I'm confused. I watched this item a couple of times trying to understand her concerns and was left with not understanding what really she was trying to get at.

Then came the fun part of the meeting "New Items" on the board agenda. H702 and H703. These start at the 2:17:42 mark on the video. The first item H702 was brought forward by Ms. Beatty and Mr. Sellers. The item was brought forward to discuss the use of legal firms. No explanation is necessary. Watch the exchanges and words spoken. I will point out that in my life time of living in the City of San Diego and reading the San Diego Union Tribune, I take exception to anyone who uses an article in this daily periodical, as fact or reason for any action.

Then comes item H703, starting at the 2:24:10 mark of the video. This item was again brought forward as a new item by Ms. Beatty and Mr. Sellers. The item was a new job description and position "Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services". Ms. Beatty starts her presentation at 2:25:10 of the video. I condensed several snips of the dialogue that took place for this item. First is Ms. Beatty.

  After some discussion Mr. Patapow.

Mr. Sellers

Mr. Zane

More Sellers with O'Connor-Ratcliff

Ms. Beatty and Mr. Patapow

Mr. Pujar (Student Representative)

Mr. Sellers

There is more discussion and we come back to Sellers.

Nearing the end with Mr. Pujar, Sellers and Mr. Zane.

I know, you thought it was ending. 

The last words, kinda, sorta......

There was more to this discussion and I would strongly urge you to view the almost 50 minutes of back and forth among board members.

The discussion ended and the meeting came to a close. The real fire works took place after the cameras were turned off. Mr. Sellers verbally attacked a member of the staff. His words and actions a reflection of his inability to act in a professional manner. The lack of civility, total arrogance and condescending manner with which he comports himself is completely and totally unacceptable. His is a symptom of a degradation of character that permeates the board room. 

Ms. O'Connor-Ratcliff, Mr. Zane and Mr. Patapow each attempts to act with civility and respect in the face of those who chose to attack with each exchange. Staff has grown weary of the badgering and constant condescending attacks of their abilities and character. It has to change. We have to change it.