What skill set or personality traits make for good school board members?
(I want to apologize in advance for the tone of this post, it is not my nature to become negative; however I cannot stand by and watch this community bullying go unchecked any longer)
The fundamental question is; what skill sets or personality traits make for good school board members? After all, these people are elected to; hire the school superintendant, work together to set financial policy, evaluate and approve union contracts, and most importantly represent our students and community.
Unfortunately, because the challenges facing schools today are so numerous and diverse there is no simple check list. However, after combing through various articles that speak to the question, I came across some common traits.
One - School board members must be able to work as a team. The reason, a school board member does not set policy, the entire board does. Does anyone think Ms. Greenwell can work as a team after she staged a failed recall campaign against all 7 board members? Not only was this unprecedented but extremely divisive for our community. Ms. Greenwell never states anything positive, collaborative or productive, all she does is disagree and find fault. In an article titled “School Board Members Job Description”, by Charles Pearson he states; Warning ….. “and school board members who continually digress are not good candidates to serve.” That seems to describe Ms. Greenwell pretty accurately, “not good candidate to serve”.
Two - “School board members need to focus their efforts on serving all children. They make sure every decision or action of the board considers the best interests of all the students they serve. They understand that board members are entrusted by all the parents in the community and that no child is more important than another. Their first focus is on student achievement no matter what other issues arise.” This is a direct quote from the Iowa Association of School Boards website. The constant degrading by Ms. Greenwell of sports, theater, music, and art must stop. She stated in the 2010 election forum, she only wants to focus on 80% of the students, the ones in the “middle”. She stated no need to worry about the really smart ones or the ones struggling. She constantly mocks the very school charged with taking care of our at risk students. Learning takes all forms; it’s not just text books and wrote. Ms. Greenwell writings show her lack of compassion for all students and therefore according to this criteria make her unqualified as a candidate.
Three – School board members act with professionalism and integrity. They know that their personal behavior impacts the climate of the school district. Ms. Greenwell actions are completely disingenuous. After her failed recall attempt of all seven board members she stated it was not about the recall but about building a database. So she lied to the petitioners? She stated at the 2012 forum she supports the hold harmless millage yet has publicly campaigned against it. She calls the school building that our children learn in a “renovated cow shed”. She called middle school and high school parents “ignorant”. And she mocks our police officers.
Ms. Greenwell has come up short on all three criteria.
Ingrid Day, Howard Baron, and Rob Herner meet the qualifications of a good school board member and therefore should get our vote.
Neal Charness
3:52 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Ken raises a very important point. I doubt that losing the election for the board would stop the vindictiveness of their efforts against a board they can't get the voters to change. I can certainly envision a scenario where they would support/help efforts that truly hurt our schools and children in their efforts to "get even." That Mr. Moigis would select Chris Fellin as his treasurer and adviser is sufficient to render him unqualified.
M. Belden
5:37 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
To address Mr. Kaufman's final statement, I would point out that Joan Berndt clearly possesses all of the qualifications he cited for a good school board member as well- perhaps even more than some others, since her entire professional life was devoted to the good of public school students.
Ken Jackson
5:47 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Mr. Fellin,
I find Ms. Maidstone more persuasive. I should say, too, that if anything is reckless it is a community wide vendetta.
S Sera
11:05 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Mr. Herner and Mrs. Berndt both possess all of the three common characteristics that Mr. Kaufman gleaned from the various articles. I can't agree with you though that Mrs Berndt possesses them to any greater extent than Mr. Herner just because she was a public school music teacher.
Stephanie Crider
6:03 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
I agree, M. Belden, that Joan Berndt is highly qualified and is the only candidate who is trained as an educator. As we move forward with the new high school, we will need someone with Joan's experience to help our dstrict. Joan can contribute to curriculum design, and her membership on the Community Partnership Committee will continue to allow her to listen to community members and use their input/feedback as she serves on the board. This is a priority for our school district, and Joan has been an active participant. Let's remember to be courageous enough to support ALL candidates who are qualified!
S Sera
10:37 am on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Ms. Crider,
You do know that Board Members responsibilities do not include contributing to curriculum design? Curriculum are the "things" which need to be taught to meet grade level expectations. Instruction is how the teachers deliver that. The superintendent and the staff are responsible for curriculum.
Joe Judge
7:25 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Joan Berndt must be included on any list of qualified candidates. She has spent 40+ years (or is it 50+?) dedicated to the teaching of children. The whole purpose here is first and foremost about an excellent and well-rounded education for our district kids. Someone that has spent so much time teaching kids brings an important perspective to a board of education.
Jennifer
8:20 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
I am also advocating for Joan as she is focused and has a passion for educating our children and also the understanding of how important it is for Bloomfield HIlls to continue to be recognized and known for the high caliber and comprehensive education we offer. Also, I have observed her a professionalism, willing to listen and a desire to be a member of the Board TEAM. She also has a sharp ear to what could be coming to us from Lansing. Lets keep the positive momentum going.
Elizabeth
9:53 am on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Jennifer,
I agree. Joan Berndt has an excellent grasp of what is going on in Lansing and the implications for our district. Her credentials as an educator far exceed the few years of substitute teaching Mrs. Greenwell continues to promote and are valuable to our board.
Linda
8:23 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Howard Baron and Vic Moigis are the only two candidates that should be elected to 6 year terms. Ingrid Day had her chance and it's time to term limit her.
Mac
8:29 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Ingrid Day has done a wonderful job of listening to the community, reducing friction, working for a plan that could pass a bond vote, and replacing the superintendent with a very good and decent person. She has more than earned a second term.
Jon
5:36 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Joan Berndt is a strong candidate for the two year seat, and has gained the endorsements of the Eccentric and Downtown Birmingham-Bloomfield.
S Sera
7:13 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Endorsement by the Eccentric came with the caveat that, "the voters would be well served by either of them if elected." (Them being Herner and Berndt)
Despite the several repeat posters for Mrs. Berndt, the following blog post by Mrs. Jackson which didn't get enough "press time", is well reasoned and far more compelling an argument in favor of Mr. Herner than either the Eccentric or Downtown Birmingham-Bloomfield endorsements.
http://bloomfield-mi.patch.com/blog_posts/one-parents-thoughts-on-the-bhsd-school-board-race-2338a96c
S Sera
9:21 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sorry "Mr Jackson". My fingers must have had a mind of their own.
Linda
7:39 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Endorsements by hard copy newspapers are nice but no longer essential or even meaningful. A candidate is better served by an army of strong supporters which Greenwell has. vote for Jenny Greenwell and Vic Moigis.
Amy Cardin
9:10 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Linda, since when is someone "term limited" after one term? Especially when they are doing an exemplary job, as Ingrid Day has done? And isn't it funny how folks couch things to their own needs? Since when have hard copy newspaper endorsements not been coveted and sought-after? I would venture to say that had Jenny and Vic gotten the nod you would have shouted it from the rooftops.
Vote for the only candidates who truly have the best interest of our children and our community at heart...the only candidates who can hit the ground running on day one...the only candidates poised to lead us through the upcoming high school transition and are on top of what is happening in education today. VOTE for Day, Baron and either Berndt or Herner. They have earned our support and confidence.
Neal Charness
9:00 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I suspect Linda wouldn't be happy unless the Pope endorsed Greenwell and Moigis in a papal missive. Now THAT would be original sin (before you go off and look foolish--that last part of my comment is meant to be tongue in cheek).
Linda
9:07 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Ha Ha, I am sure he would if I asked. But, I'll be content with the thousands and thousands of BHSD residents who are voting for Greenwell and Moigis.
Neal Charness
9:22 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Glad you took the humor ok, I'm hopeful that even if more than 2000 people (thousands and thousands) neither Vic or Jenny will be elected. I trust the voters of our community to vote their interests and those of the schools and children.