Where is the PUSD Board of Education Headed?

The other day, I stumbled upon a guest article in the Pomerado News, written by the President of the Board of Education for the Poway School District (PUSD). I have lived in this community since the early 80’s and have watched the ebb and flow of small town politics over these years. I remember when Poway was a small little country town with a two lane road and no stop lights. I remember when Interstate 15 was Interstate 163 and it was two laned. The mayor of Poway in the 80’s was Linda Oravec, followed by Bruce Tarzy, the late Bob Emery, and Carl Kruse. In the 90’s and into 2014 we had Don Higginson, Jan Goldsmith and the late Mickey Cafagna. In 2014, Steve Vaus was elected mayor.

I remember in the 80’s the Superintendent for PUSD was Robert Reeves. The school Board was comprised of the late Dr. Adelito Gale, Sharon Purviance, and Stan Rodkin. Then in 1990 Ed Carboneau, Tom Morris and Ned Kohler were elected. In 1992, Charlene Zettel and Kathleen Zaworski-Burke took their turn. Board meetings were long, often going into the early morning hours as a result of two people who had agendas not clearly focused on education and children. Ned Kohler moved out of the district in 1993, leaving his seat vacant. A list of some fourteen candidates applied to fill the seat. Many believed the seat would remain vacant because the board composition was such that ALL votes would be two yes and two no. These four people could not agree on the time of day while looking at ONE clock. The seat remained vacant for the remainder of the term because the Board could not agree on a replacement.

In 1994, the “Cookie Coalition” was put together by a large group of community members, fed up with the direction of the Board of Education and the reputation they were bringing to the district. The Board meetings were a topic of every new paper and the community. Jeff Mangum, Steve McMillan and Penny Ranftle were elected. Linda Vanderveen was appointed to fill Charlene Zettel’s seat in 1998, when she was elected to the State Assembly. Then in 2000, Andy Patapow was elected and Ms. Vanderveen re-elected to the school board.

In 2001, Dr. Bob Reeves was embroiled in a scandal, resulting in his resignation from the District after twenty six years as Superintendent. A national search was conducted and the Board hired the late, Don Phillips away from Palo Alto. When Dr. Phillips arrived in the district, the State was facing an economic recession, enrollment was declining and budget cuts were necessary. Class size began to increase and layoffs were on the horizon.

Through it all, the Board of Education worked with the Superintendent and his staff to make an already good district great. I remember going to School Board meetings and listening to budget discussions, negotiation discussions, and educational discussions. The focus was always on making the education of students better. Certificated and non-certificated employees, sharing in the discussions and doing their part, making PUSD the best district in the County.

In 2006, Steve McMillan retired from the board and was replaced by Todd Gutchow. In 2010, Dr. Phillips retired and Dr. John Collins was appointed Superintendent; Jeff Mangum retired from the board and was replaced by Marc Davis. In 2012, Linda Vanderveen was unseated by Kimberley Beatty. In 2014, Penny Ranftle retired from the board while Marc Davis and Todd Gutchow were unseated.  Michelle O’Conner-Ratcliff, T. J. Zane and Charles Sellers were elected to the PUSD Board.

Much has changed over the years. My children have graduated and I continue to follow the news and what is going on with the district. I am not encouraged with what I am seeing of late. The days of putting children and education first seems to be on the way out. I would like to think these growing pains, but after reading a number of the entries to the article published in the Pomerado News by Board President Beatty, I am not so sure. The article, “GuestColumn: Battle over who controls PUSD budget process” Board President says teachers union waging “smear campaign” is a glimpse into the mindset of at least two of the PUSD Board members. Read for yourself the article that caught my attention and then the comments by board member, Charles Sellers. Take some time and watch video from the Board meetings.

The “new” board was sworn in on December 8, 2014. Ms. Beatty spoke at the January 20, 2015, Board meeting, that the board met on January 5, 2015, to discuss Board Governance and “getting their bearing and figuring out procedures and protocols and rules for operation and setting a strategic vision, priorities and goals.”

   

This “new” Board of Education needs to be watched. The community need be involved and aware of the changes taking place and the manner in which they are being done. Change is often painful and at times necessary. The tone of the article Ms. Beatty penned is one that leaves me with mounting concern for the direction this Board of Education appears to be taking.

I will be watching and writing as the Board undertakes their changes and presses their agenda.