So, we went to the school bored (sic) meeting at the Fairfield School District Administrative Offices. I jest, I jest. Let’s just say it wasn’t as hard-hitting as I would have liked. The minutes were read, the motions were passed, and not a lot else happened. There seemed to be very little controversy. These were people that saw eye to eye on the issues at the meeting or at least viewed them as trivial. Of the twenty or so items that were brought before the board only about three received any sort of further explanation. Everything seemed fairly monotonous and ordinary. Everything had its process, and rarely did it deviate from that.
The range of issues addressed at the meeting surprised me. I suppose someone has to make these decisions, but they approved everything from pay cuts to field trips and back again. They hold a lot of power. Obviously, they rely and trust heavily the opinions presented to them by the superintendent, the treasurer and other staff members, but it seemed in a sense that they might be too far removed to have a stake in what happened. It almost seemed like they just did what was suggested to them, by the superintendent and business supervisors and moved on.
Obviously, this is a premature judgment (I was there for all of one meeting, I’m not going to begin to pretend I have any of the facts necessary) I would have to be more involved with both the school and the board to understand what was going on. However, my observations fall in line with what is often criticized of administration – that they (the administration) make decisions without a full understanding of the situation. But still... I was just at one meeting.
So, sappy conclusion about the purpose that school boards serve. Thank you. I mean, it does seem necessary. I think people like process, and having a school board is helpful for a balance of power – it’s important to have checks and balances, and this group of concerned adults of the Fairfield district seemed to fit the bill. And that’s not sap. It’s me being honest.
