The legacy of our past

Turmoil in the political structure of our schools is not new – the greater Racine community has a long acrimonious history with its schools, most likely starting with the formation of a unified school district. Perhaps I am not the best person to reflect on the past since I was only a child when the school strikes in the 70s happened. When the teachers turned to the Blue Flu tactics in the 90s, I was an adult but did not yet have children in the district. As such, my interpretations may be slightly off the mark.

The way I see it is this – if we cannot learn from our past, we are doomed to make the same mistakes again and again. Anyone who understands the current climate of RUSD knows that this is not the first RUSD board that is dysfunctional. In the 90’s we had a board that micromanaged every proposal administration made – there were even numerous censures of board members. Clearly the leadership of that board added to the Blue Flu Epidemic of 1998. Obviously, no one wishes to repeat this ugly saga.

Because the board does not want to repeat the mistakes of former board members, our Board of Education has taken a hands-off approach for fear of being accused of micromanaging. Here lies the conundrum, having a hands- off approach is not the solution either. As with most problems, the true solution is most likely a compromise of sorts.

Having the board micromanage the district is not the answer.

Giving the superintendent free reign without accountability (and yes, that may include some critical comments/concerns) is not the answer.

The stakeholders in this community need to work together and find the right answer or we are doomed.

I want a guaranteed contract too

So, Dr. Hicks wants a contract extension with a guarantee that no one will question his objectives – that sounds good. Where can I get a gig like that?

After a long and sometimes excruciatingly painful process, I believe the district is at least headed in the right direction. I also understand that a change in leadership may negate the progress that has been made, but where is the accountability if your 9 “bosses” cannot question/comment on the work you have done?

Isn’t this the reason we have elected officials in charge?

Update on RUSD special meeting

This is what I understood and wholeheartedly believed in before attending the "special" meeting of the RUSD BOE meeting tonight that discussed improper board member behavior.

1.Everyone has a right to free speech, even for sitting board members to criticize fellow board members in the local media.

2.Having the right to say something does not absolve one from any responsibility.

This is what I undertsand and wholeheartedly believe after attending tonight's meetin.

1. Our board is only concerned with the rights of the "majority" voice.

2. The entire section of the Policy Governance Manual that deals with board behavior needs to tossed out with the recyclables since it is apparent the policies are not going to followed by anyone.

3. If the board could just remove this continuing political posturing of epic proportions from its procedures, perhaps they could focus on what they were elected to do - hold the administration accountable for the education of our children and the responsible use of tax dollars.

Now, wouldn't that be refreshing?

(By the way, in case you hadn't figured it out - there was not any action taken at tonight's meeting.)

When parents go bad

Can the parents involved be expelled as well?

When board members go bad

Yet again, the RUSD board has an item on the agenda that will be dealing with board behavior. This is becoming all too common – I certainly hope this will not be a recurring theme.

However, there is one main difference. This item is not scheduled in closed session as it has in the past; it is being dealt with in a special meeting tonight at 7:00 PM. Hats off to the new RUSD BOE President, Tony Baumgardt for recognizing that an open forum is the best (and most legal) way to take when dealing with board behavior.

However, with that said, I would think that if we did not have board members condoning changes to the US Constitution we might have a little more progress in the governing process and less bad behavior from the board.

Take the RUSD Board of Education test

Amusing column from Mike Moore of the Journal Times… How did you score? Share your thoughts….

MPS wants to handcuff its students

Since I have strayed from RUSD to MPS, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the recent MPS board approval of flexible handcuffs to subdue unruly and violent students. I have to admit at first, I was slightly taken aback. It does seem inhumane, but after some additional thoughts on the matter, I believe I could support something like this in any school district.

Like it or not, some of our schools are dangerous places and most of them do not have full-time police officers on duty. For safety sakes, sometimes the best solution would be to restrain a child with these cuffs. As long as these handcuffs are used to keep other children/staff safe, and NOT for discipline, I think it is a sad, but reasonable, measure to take.

Springtime in Wisconsin: Cut your grass and cut educational programming

Springtime in Wisconsin means different things to different people. Some people cannot wait to get back outside, work in the garden and cut the grass for the first time. Others, like school administrators and board members dread spring, because the cutting they have to do is not outside, but in the classroom. You see, each spring they have a budget to complete for the upcoming year and every year it seems a little harder to complete.

Many districts across the state have joined the ranks of RUSD in cutting programs in order to balance the budget. One of the reasons why RUSD seems to be continually asking the residents of eastern Racine County is that when the revenue caps went into effect in 1993, the RUSD board did not levy the maximum amount (thinking the revenue caps were only going to be in effect for a few years). However, the revenue caps were made permanent and RUSD has been behind the proverbial 8 ball ever since.

I think the revenue caps are a great idea in theory, but the current constraints of the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer) and the equalization aid is now hurting many districts across the state. Clearly, we need a different way to fund our public schools. We need to take the burden off the property tax rolls and make it more equitable for all.

Back in 2003, Governor Jim Doyle appointed a blue-ribbon commission to study the issue and they recommendation was an increase in the sales tax.

Is shifting the burden of funding our schools from the homeowners to all consumers the best way to do this? What do you think?

Note to self...

Note to self: Nothing good will come out of throwing produce at RUSD board members.

Urban school reform: It takes a village

This morning as I was making my way through the Cheddarsphere over my morning coffee, I stumbled across an entry from Jay of folkbum's rambles and rants which discusses the intensive and comprehensive reform plan MPS is undertaking. Over 40 educational experts got together and drafted the plan.

You might ask “Brenda, what’s so great about drafting a plan? Don’t you think RUSD has a plan to be the best urban district by 2010?”

My answer would be that of course I know that RUSD has a plan, but the public was not part of the planning/input sessions. Also MPS is asking for feedback for the draft plan at upcoming listening sessions and get this – VIA THE WEB - for those stakeholders that cannot attend the listening sessions.

I wish more people in our community would demand to be part of the process of improving our schools…

RUSD Board to silence all dissent

Already some of the local bloggers (here and here) have weighed in on the proposed changes to the RUSD Board Governance policies, but I feel a strong desire to weigh in the issue myself and provide a slightly different perspective.

Having been in attendance at most of the RUSD board meetings for the last few years, I have seen the progression from how they did business a few years ago to how they currently run their board meetings under the “new” Policy Governance. I can say that I have never been a huge fan of their new way of doing business, but I can now say that Policy Governance (with the proposed changes) is NOT the direction I would head if I sat on the board. I believe the board is moving to silence all board dissent and perhaps even trying to rewrite the Constitution. RUSD Board Members ARE elected officials, and they are elected to represent their constituents and ask questions. This is NOT disrespectful – it is RESPONSIBLE.

Furthermore, I question the judgment of the leadership of the board member(s) timing of these changes to the board policy. Helloooooo, there is referendum scheduled for June 12th!! Do they want this to pass or not?? Having asked many annoying questions over the years, and probably ticked off more than my fair share, I have watched the district slowly and painfully try to turn itself around and move in a positive direction. Up until today, I was convinced they WERE moving in the RIGHT direction.

Now, another debacle they have to overcome and another fire to put out. Instead of moving ahead in a positive direction, the leadership of RUSD will be sidetracked by this snafu that could potentially harm the district and the children it serves. We need to continue to move ahead in a positive way, our children are losing ground against their peers each and every day…

If the referendum fails because of the negative publicity the district will undoubtedly receive by trying to limit the free speech of their board, they only have themselves to blame.

My sincere thanks to the RUSD board member who passed this information to me - you are NO LONGER on notice (or dead to me).