Trust is a treasure to be earned

July 31, 2013

By Mike Weland

It pains me to write this, but I feel it must be said.

I’m a new member on this school board of trustees, and proud. I understand my obligations and will do my best to carry them out to the best of my limited skill and ability.

I confess I am not a trained educator. I am, however, a well experienced skeptic. I am not limited in what I hear in private, and I have good reason to believe that there are those within the district who haven’t yet come to understand that.

I buy pixels by the barrel. I know my limits.

It’s time we all wake up.

I would use this opportunity to throw a shot across the bow, a wake up call. I pray I’m wrong but the more I learn, the less I’m assured. I know this missive will result in much chagrin.

Too bad, we do the public's business, and we ask to be responsible for our dearest treasure. You have an absolute right to know.

When I was elected to this position, I attended a class in which I was taught that the main role of a school board is to hire executives in whom you have confidence and let them carry the weight. I agree, but I also believe firmly in trust.

That’s a thing that flows downhill.

This debacle with hiring a football coach opened my eyes a bit.

I expected and will accept everything the students and parents throw my way, but I expected honest, fair and unbiased answers from the people I depend on to give me advice.

I am learning that I did not receive that but was perhaps made pawn of an agenda.

I pray I’m wrong, but I confess, I worry this district is paying its best for advice and getting obvious bias.

I can accept and understand a biased parent’s point of view, or a student’s.

I cannot and will not accept from any administrator's less than unbiased honesty.

My trust has to be earned, and I’m only a trustee. I rely and depend on honest participation from paid professionals; I will settle for nothing less.

When I suspect I'm being subject to BS, the question I first ask is ""is this honest and fair?"

If  I believe not, I ask, "why are we paying them?"