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04/09/2003 Archived Entry: "SCHOOL BOARD DECISION APRIL 8, 2003"
SCHOOL BOARD DECISION APRIL 8, 2003
I feel compelled to write something about the results of the school board meeting last night, but I have mixed emotions about it. I listened last night to what was said by those at the meeting, during the recesses and I’ve been listening to school patrons and civic leaders all day today. I don't think the issue will soon die.
There are a couple of things to consider.
There were over 200 parents, teachers and supporters who attended the meeting last night in support of Mr. Hakoda. Many of those who attended took their turn at the microphone and expressed their feelings about the work of this man. Student after student told of personal help they had received from him, even in the field of mathematics, where no help could be found elsewhere. It is said he never refused to help a student even if it were on his own time. His successes and popularity are legendary. Not one unfavorable word was spoken about him or his work
The board was unresponsive to the remarks that were made and offered nothing in the way of understanding to those who spoke. There was not much they could say, but their lack of reaction by some was visible, noticed and duly recorded by those in attendance.
Patrons elect board members with the expectation they will strive for excellence in our schools and will not accept being told to manage with something less without valid reasons being offered. There were none offered.
Try to equate what happened last night with the unlikely prospect of having several years of winning football or basketball seasons in Ellsworth, and have the board say to parents and students that we strive for excellence, but we don’t need this degree of excellence anymore. We’ve decided you can settle for a lower standard by practicing and playing less and winning fewer games which would be acceptable and could be achieved with a half time rather than a full time coach.
Would you ever expect this to be said?
We’re talking about $15,000 out of the budget of millions. It’s a drop in the bucket. This isn’t a financial issue at all. This is about something else, in my opinion.
The board is responsible for the decisions it makes. It can accept or reject the recommendation of the superintendent while remembering the board is ultimately responsible for its actions and is held accountable by the people of the community who elect them. We have a good, conscientious board who we trust will make good judgment calls based on all the collective information they can find.
They may want to rethink this one they made last night.
Maybe their thinking has been confined to the box too long and only the facts served them were considered. We don’t know what happens behind closed doors. Perhaps they need to think positively and creatively outside the box to find a way to keep Mr. Hakoda employed full time as the public seems to demand.
Taking the action they did last night is coming down as a terrific blow to the people of this community who don’t want to settle for less than what they now have in the music department. Parents from other school districts whose students chose to come here for our music program have many reasons to be distressed over this action. Parents and patrons take great pride in this music program K-12 and suggest that other departments in the system should follow their example in order for excellence to be achieved throughout our schools. I’ve never heard anyone say we should strive for the lowest common denominator.
In coming days school district patrons will probably place higher demands on our school leaders to find a more acceptable solution to this problem. After all, the board serves at the will of the public, not at the will of the administration. The board is supposed to respond to the needs and wishes of the people such as those who were in attendance last night.
It's highly unusual to have such a meeting as was held last night where all those who were present were of a single mind.
School district patrons need to make their wishes known to board members. Board members in their elected positions need to listen to what their constituents are saying.
That's the way it works.