Fixing a Hole

I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go...

My apologies to John and Paul, but these lyrics came to mind as I was reviewing the RUSD board materials (for tomorrow's meeting) over my morning coffee. It would seem that the RUSD board will be addressing changes in their current governing style, Policy Governance, to address the loopholes that directly led to the recent changes in district leadership.

Over and over again, the audit report written by Reinhart-Boerner included the phrase "lack of oversight" and suggested that Policy Governance possibly left too many "holes" in the financial management of the district. The board seems to be addressing these "holes", not by throwing out Policy Governance, but by rewriting some of the language. I'm glad our current board acknowledges that some of the Executive Limitations were too broadly written, and that the board is now seeking to remedy the situation.

Here 's a brief summary of some of the proposed changes, the bolded text is the proposed change in language, the text in italics is the existing language:

Policy Type: Executive Limitations

Accordingly, the CEO may not:

Fail to publish a financial condition statement annually. Fail to provide the Board with a monthly update of the Statement of Revenue and Expenditures and Balance Sheet depicting month and year-to-date financial activity as well as a financial condition statement annually.


a.Fail to use a competitive bidding procedure for the purchase of all supplies, materials and equipment, and any contracted services except professional services, in the amount of $25,000 or more.
b. Fail to use a competitive bidding procedure for professional services in the amount of $50,000 or more except for replacement positions within the Teaching and Learning Division.
c. Execute a contract which includes financial incentives to a third party without Board approval.

Hindsight is 20/20, obviously if these changes in policy language were included from the get-go, it is very likely that the RUSD board would not have to be renegotiating terms with PBCG, the consultant group hired by the former superintendent to manage the district's business affairs, but, instead, could be focusing on the issues that might actually benefit the children of RUSD educationally.

It's about time the board "fixes the hole" and focuses their collective time and energy on achieving their goal of educating every student to succeed.

Who's to blame for RUSD fiasco?

Everyone I have talked to about the recent happenings within RUSD is looking for someone to blame. Some blame the consulting group PBCG, some the (now former) superintendent, Dr. Hicks, and finally some are blaming the board for their lack of oversight.

Having watched all three parties in action over the years, I would agree that all 3 (Hicks, PBCG and RUSD board) are culpable in the matter. Hicks may be guilty of abusing his Executive Limitations, PBCG may be guilty of fleecing the district and the board is definitely guilty of not providing any oversight over both of them.

Policy Governance, the governing style the board adopted in January 2006, is the main culprit (in my humble opinion). This governing style is a “hands-off” approach, the board members do not approve payments on a regular basis and the superintendent has near-autonomous control over everything. The board "clarifies" their needs, and the superintendent goes about trying to meet those needs anyway he sees fit.

You can quickly understand how RUSD got itself into this mess…

But I hear very little about another party that can be blamed for this fiasco; the voters and taxpayers of eastern Racine County. If we (as a collective group) continue to vote board members in that do not understand the true meaning of accountability – this scenario will keep playing out again and again. Do yourself a favor next April; actually try to make an INFORMED vote. Go to a forum, call the candidates, but just get acquaint yourself with the candidates!!

And if you are not apprised of the issues or candidates, please do me a favor and stay away from the polls on Election Day.