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Chronicle
of an MPUSD School Board Candidate: 2001 – 2003
by
Debra Gramespacher 01/04/03
After attending virtually all school board meetings since the election in 2001, I feel confident in conveying my observations and recommendations to the current Board of Education. I know that being a board member and facing public scrutiny are not easy, but I have found that the credibility of the board has unnecessarily diminished over the past 2 years and here are few reasons why…
1. Conflict of interest: In 2001, the Board awarded a 1.2 Million Dollar contract to 3D International at the bequest of the then Facilities Director. Two Board meetings later, the same Facilities Director tendered his resignation and accepted an offer as manager of 3D International’s San Francisco Office, receiving financial gain from the new position. This was a clear conflict of interest. District employees should not profit from their role as a public representative when awarding business to private industry. I applaud the Monterey County Herald’s and Grand Jury’s admonishment of the Board regarding this affair.
2. Accountability: The Board often votes one way then reverses their decision at the next meeting, succumbing to pressure from the district office, employees or the community. I suggest doing the public relations research before the 1st vote is made and not after. Flip-flops demonstrate that ranting works. Decisions are made based on emotion rather than logic. To better integrate district employees in the preliminary research process, I suggest establishing an advisory, non-voting seat on the Board for the President of CSEA and MBTA, right next to the DLIFLC & POM Representative.
3. Budget pains need to be equitably distributed: The majority of the Seven Million Budget cuts were made to the ranks of Teachers and Classified Support Staff. 30 % of custodians were eliminated. It is important to be sensitive to the personal sacrifices that our employee groups have been asked to make.
4. Restore Music to our elementary schools: During the Budget deliberations in 2002, the Board eliminated instrumental and vocal music from our elementary schools. By removing music from elementary schools, we jeopardize music in the middle schools. Private instruction is expensive. This very important cognitive skill and artistic talent must be available to all students, regardless of financial circumstances.
5. Respect privacy of our employees: During employee contract discussions, a Board member inquired why there is a provision in the contract covering evaluations, which prohibits inquiries covering time prior to MPUSD employment. Our Human Resources director politely pointed out that this would be an invasion of privacy. We should be concerned ONLY with the dedicated employment practices of an individual, while employed by the district.
6. Professional Conduct: After a rigorous interview process, the superintendent presented a new employee to the Board for a vote of approval. Rather than to applaud the professional qualities and welcome the new employee, a Board member chose to conduct a public interview, that proved to be an embarrassment to all. The new district employee deserves an apology.
7. Petty Discussions: After a rousing disclosure session on how the district reviews and awards roofing contracts, the board felt empowered and started to debate whether the district should give the City of Seaside an easement onto the Hayes School property so that they can access a man-hole. Some of the audience suggested that the district should clean the sewer themselves.
8. Long Meetings: It may be happenstance
that 2 board members regularly exit the board meetings at
9. Better communication with Personnel Office: On 2 occasions, the board has been asked to vote on a contract, without first being able to examine the contract. The board needs to be aware that a verbal or written acceptance, even over the phone, by the Superintendent or Director of Personnel is legally binding. By not voting to accept a contract, already confirmed by district representatives, the Board puts the district in a precarious situation.
10. Misinformation: Information leaked to the public from discussions in closed session leads to misinformation. In 2002, rumors of selective raises to mini-cabinet members were leaked, followed by scheduling of Open Session Board Meetings to discuss the matter during school hours, making it difficult for classified and certificated personnel to attend. This was insensitive at the very least and again puts the district in a legally precarious situation, where an employee group can claim being locked out of the process.