Dealing with Rogue School Board Members

I received this today and thought it extremely important to share as a result of the goings on over the last couple of days. Dealing with Rogue School Board Members appeared on the National Association of Secondary School Principals web page. This article came from the writing of Terry O'Banion who penned "THE ROGUE TRUSTEE - The Elephant in the Room".

Dealing with Rogue School Board Members is Deja Vu when compared to the actions of Sellers and Beatty on the PUSD. Everyone should read this and act accordingly.

Charles Sellers Shows His True Colors

I attended Mondays School Board Meeting of the Poway Unified School District's Board of Education. What I witnessed was unbelievable. But, not as unbelievable as what I read in the Voice of San Diego. I need to put some context to the events of the past few weeks.

I have been watching the goings on with the Board of Education in Poway for many years. I have family and friends who are teachers and administrators in the district. I have even more friends and people who I know who have children in the district as well as those whose children have graduated from the schools in Poway. Last year, there was a huge firestorm related to a prior Bond and its cost. The resulting fall out was the election of three new members to the Board of Education. One member retired after serving twenty years and two members were unseated. T. J. Zane, Ms. O'Connor-Ratcliff and Charles Sellers were elected as Trustees.

But, I need to go back a bit more. In 2012, Kimberly Beatty was elected to the Board, unseating Linda Vanderveen. Beatty brought with her a personal agenda that put her at odds with her colleagues on the Board of Education almost immediately. She began to act as one, over stepping her authority and doing things like going to the City of San Diego and using her position, attempting to get things from the City. When this was discovered by the Board, as well as District administrators, Beatty was counseled and advised of the limitations of her position and the authority she actually possesses as a Board member. Over the course of two years, Beatty has managed to alienate a large portion of teachers, administrators, as well as those outside the district. Her propensity for half truths and out right lies is well known.

The boiling point blew the lid off of things these last few months. Sellers and Beatty stalled labor negotiations with teachers who thought they had reached a tentative agreement with the District. Then Beatty penned an op ed piece in the local new paper (Battle over who controls PUSD budget process) attacking the president of the teachers union as well as the Superintendent and members of his staff. The spin provided by Beatty was one that would give Whirlpool a run for its money.

The Board meeting and aftermath brought out the true colors of Charles Sellers. The proof is in the words and actions of Sellers. Take a look at the video of the Board meeting that lasted over five hours. In the first two plus hours you will clearly see Sellers true colors and agenda. If you don't see it in the video, take a look at the comments he wrote, related to an article in the Voice of San Diego (How Poway Unified went from Big Happy Family to Family Feud, by Ashly McGlone). The tone and tenor of Sellers comments are so out of line and unprofessional I feel consequences should follow his actions. His name calling and accusations are clearly made in an attempt to bully and intimidate. He makes accusations toward fellow board members O'Connor-Ratcliff and Zane. Sellers intimates there was some agreement for O'Connor-Ratcliff to join hands with he and Beatty to fulfill their agenda. Sellers repeatedly attempted to bate Zane into agreeing with his views, mocking him for refusing to bite. He mocks and calls Dr. Collins, King John and does the same to Candy Smiley, calling her Queen Candy or Madam Smiley. He mocks Dr. Collins further by advising Ms. Smiley to "ditch the albatross that Dr. Collins has become to her cause". 

Ashly McGlone and Randy Dotinga, writers for the Voice of San Diego (VOSD) have written various pieces related to the fire storm raging in PUSD. Neither have taken the time to actually investigate and understand the processes they are writing about nor to find out the truth of what actually occurs in IBPS and the decisions that follow by the Trustees. They (McGlone and Dotinga) have become pawns by Sellers, Beatty and their eight supporters.

If you care about the education of children in Poway, you will start paying attention to what is going on and make your voice heard. Do not allow this small vocal minority group with an axe to grind, dictate what occurs in this award winning school district.

Paying Close Attention

Sometimes we take things for granted. We chose to ignore things we don't think affect us. As a voter, taxpayer, whose children have long finished their high school years, I could say what goes on with the Board of Education for the Poway Unified School District, does not affect me. I could turn a blind eye to the goings on. I could say, "It ain't my problem."

Many who know me, know it is not in my nature to sit back and do nothing, when something I worked so hard to fix is being dismantled. In 1994, I sought election to the Board of Education after serving on several committees and watching the dysfunction of the Board and the strife it created with its employees. I was elected with two other, new board members and set out to learn the role and responsibility of a Trustee. This learning curve is a big one. To say I was over whelmed would be a huge understatement.

Last November, three new members were elected to the Board of Education for the PUSD. The two currently seated members of the board have two and 18 years experience respectively. The resulting lack of experience and knowledge, coupled with the apparent belief their election is a mandate to enact their will, is setting in motion the destruction of a nationally recognized school district.

I think the above picture illustrates the current majority on the school board. The sad part is, they don't recognize this. On April 14, 2015, the board held a "Special Board Meeting" to discuss negotiations with the Poway Federation of Teachers (PFT). The video is about an hour long and will offer a look into the views of certain board members.

There were eight citizens who spoke to support the agendas of Beatty and Sellers. The President of the PFT and a teacher (Greg Stratchan) for the district (he is also a past student, parent of students and resident) also spoke. I wrote in a prior post about the "Play Book". See anything during the public comments that ring a bell?

Taking a page from Greg Stratchan and quoting Edmund Burke; "The only thing necessary for triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". Pay attention people. The silent majority often submit to the vocal minority, allowing them to dictate their will. Let your voices be heard.

The Playbook

The “Playbook” as I will call it, is a road map for where I project the “agenda” will carry us all. Transparency will be the theme, as issues are framed, to fit the needs for change. The “will of the people” or “mandate from the voters” will be yelled for all to hear whenever a voice is heard in opposition. The voices will be loud. They will be constant. They will be reading from the same script. No need to figure out what is broke or needs fixed. Change it all, it’s all broke, because the ones who run it, are the problem.

Blame and accusations start the game. Then conquer and divide the masses as the participants choose sides. Spin just enough truth in any statement to make it legit and the rest will take care of itself. Facts are what “they” say they are.

I have watched dozens of boards struggle through change in governance. The smaller boards (5) seem to be most volatile. The reason is it takes fewer people of similar interest to disrupt and destroy. Three people can destroy any board or organization in a very short time. If history is an indication of what can be expected, the first big change is management will be tossed and replaced with “their” person. “Their” person now beholding to the three who placed him/her into the position. This will take but several months of negative accusations and blame, exaggerated incidents that are spun to paint a picture of deceit or incompetence.

The “Transparency” theme is alive and well already. The evidence is laid out in Ms. Beatty’s opinion piece in the Pomerado News. Follow along the comments from another board member, Charles Sellers and the first stone is laid. “The will of the people” mandate has been pressed as they begin to defend their actions. The “divide and conquer” began with the attack of the IBPS process and teachers. Throw in the accusatory comments, spun to make it appear as if there is some nefarious proposition for padding or influencing negotiations to line the pockets of others and the unknowing begin to doubt. Pitch in an e-mail directed at a select group of teachers, laying out a variety of allegations, directed at the leadership of the PFT and the assault begins to create distrust within.

I’m not, nor have I ever been a conspiracy theorist, or someone who takes things at face value. I take it all in and evaluate the information, comparing it to other information and researching what I have discovered. I ask lots of questions and take information from a variety of sources. I have always verified and checked facts to ensure I get them right and can then formulate an educated understanding of the issues.

I look to the PUSD Board Policies as a point of reference when deciding if the actions of the board fall within their own policies. Board Policy 1.0 Governing Board; Section 1.2 General Provisions Governing the Poway Unified School District, highlights the role and responsibility of the governing board. It reads as follows:

The basic policy of the Board of Education of the Poway Unified School District shall be to develop and maintain for the people of the District the best school system obtainable, subject to financial limitations imposed by the state legislature.

The Board of Education formulates the policies which guide the affairs of the District. These policies shall be consistent with state law, rules, and regulations of the State Board of Education and directives of other constituted authorities. In the development of policies, the Board will look both to District personnel and to District stakeholders for guidance.

The District Superintendent, as the executive officer of the Board, is responsible for developing and implementing appropriate procedures to meet Board Policy. As an integral part of its responsibility for policy making, the Board has the responsibility for appraisal and evaluation. To that end, the Board shall inform itself of the manner in which its policies affect student performance, the educational program, and of the manner in which its policies are being carried out. This will be accomplished by means of direct observation, the State of the District Report, frequent reports from District employees, and other processes as may be designated by the Board.

Reports to the Board shall be prepared by the District Superintendent at such times as the Board so designates. In keeping with the Board’s policy of improving the understanding between the schools of the District and the people served, such reports will be made available to the community, interested organizations, and school stakeholders so that all concerned may be better informed regarding the school District and its activities.

Finally, it is recognized that the Board of Education is the legislative body of the Poway Unified School District. In all matters of policy, the Board will not delegate its authority and such authority is not to be usurped by any District employee. Nor shall the content of Board Policy be construed to be part of any collective bargaining agreement unless expressly included in said agreement. The District Superintendent, acting as the Board’s executive officer, will carry out the policy formulated by the Board. Mutual care is pledged that the Board of Education not assume executive power and that the Superintendent not assume the Board’s legislative power.

In providing this general policy statement, the Board of Education is giving expression to its belief that the District schools exist for the constructive, democratic education of the pupil and the consequent betterment of the American society. This policy is a sincere attempt to outline principles which will enable the school District to serve effectively the best educational interests of the District’s children.

The Governing Board recognizes that the Board is the unit of authority over the District and that a Board member has no individual authority. Board members shall hold the education of students above any partisan principle, group interest, or personal interest.

Unless agreed to by the Board as a whole, individual members of the Board shall not exercise any administrative responsibility with respect to the schools or command the services of any school employee. Individual Board members shall submit requests for information to the Superintendent. Board members shall refer Board-related correspondence to the Superintendent for forwarding to the Board or for placement on the Board's agenda, as appropriate.

 Individual Board members do not have the authority to resolve complaints. Any Board member approached directly by a person with a complaint should refer the complainant to the Superintendent, or designee, so that the problem may receive proper consideration and be handled through the appropriate District process.

A Board member whose child is attending a district school should be aware of his/her role as a Board member when interacting with district employees about his/her child.

The Governing Board is elected by the community to provide leadership and citizen oversight of the District. The Board shall ensure that the District is responsive to the priorities of the community.

The PUSD Board of Education would be well served to review this policy, discuss it and embrace it. There is a time and place for differences of opinion to be aired. There is a protocol for the decorum of governance that when not practiced becomes destructive. A true leader garners support from supporters as well as detractors.

There are five members of the Board of Education for PUSD. They must work together, with staff and community to fulfill their obligations to the citizens they serve. They were not elected to simply serve only those who cast a vote for them. To that end, it’s not the loudest voice, or the voice most often heard, that matters. All voices must be heard and listened too. I am but one voice. 

The Learning Curve

When you learned to drive, did you tell the person trying to teach you, they needed to teach you differently? When you learned to fry an airplane, I would bet you started with book learning, followed by discussion and introduction to the air frame and then in the cock pit with an instructor, while he/she flew the plane. You continued the book learning and discussions with your instructor and spent hours learning how to safely operate and fly a plane. Then there was the first solo. You didn't rent a plane, grab the keys, start it up and fly.

When someone gets elected to public office, the good ones spend time learning what the position is all about. Most will start with volunteering on committees and talking to stakeholders, before the election. They will follow the goings on and learn the issues. In most instances, the person running for public office thinks they can do better than the person currently holding the position. There is a trigger that ignites the desire to seek that seat. This is where the agenda driven politician is born. 

The agenda. That thing that blinds. That thing that gets in the way of reason. Agendas are seldom positive. Agendas can be personal, political, ideological or hidden. Agendas come with a list of things to be considered or done; mostly personal. They are the GOAL that guides behavior and that is often, kept secret; hidden agendas. Then there is the political agenda; often an underlying ideological plan.

School Boards across the country have been battle grounds for people elected with agendas. In the early 90's the agendas focused on religion and ideological sociopolitical programs. The angry, disenfranchised, altruistic, single focused person sought validation by picking a single issue that resonated with a large number of people and set out to right a perceived or real wrong. When they win election, their agenda becomes validated and they feel empowered to charge full speed ahead to now fulfill the items on their agenda.

Because School Boards are usually small and local, they seldom garner much notice by the large majority of the citizens in a given district. This is magnified in districts with an aging populace, where fewer voters have children attending schools. But, catch their attention with an issue where money is involved, such as a property tax increase and you have the voters’ attention. Now use as your platform, you stand for every voter in the district and ask them to come together to help pursue the American Dream and to keep the dream alive for their children and grandchildren and you are on your way to getting elected. 

Take a stand for economic freedom with promises of reduced tax rates and reduced government spending. Add a promise of a debt free future so our children and grandchildren are not stuck with our bills. Their promise is grassroots activism (they won't call it that) ensuring open and transparent governance. They will tout their election as “the will of the people” and use this mantra when effecting change.

Sound familiar yet? It's the continued use of, "the election is the will of the people" as an excuse to the affect they are seeking. Seldom does the agenda driven politician care about understanding the role and responsibility of the position they were elected. They simply care about the changes they can effect, no matter the cost. They are not interested in the learning curve of governance. That is a hindrance to their agenda.

By the way; only 16% of those registered to vote who live in the boundaries of the PUSD, voted. That is a far cry from “the will of the people.”  

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.