The School Board in a semi-monthly Public Work Study Session with the Administration
OPINION: Updated 12/8: I spent over 3 hours this weekend watching the video of the LWSD School Board's, 11/23 Regular Meeting. They were voting to approve the Superintendent's levy/bond funding measuresIn review, I noticed what appears to be several errors and omissions in the voting process. I brought this to the attention of the Administration and the School Board.
My observations: The Board's Motion, Second and Vote to approve Resolutions 2044 (levy), 2045 (levy), and 2046 (bond) was incomplete. At minute 26 of the video, Director Eglington made a motion to approve "the package of three measures." He didn't read the measures aloud or hand them to the Chair. Director Bernard's Second was question.
The only Board vote was 12 minutes later (38 min) after Pendergrass motioned to allowed for changes and consistency in language. Bernard's "Second" was questioned. (for the second time)
If you want to see the 11/23 meeting video for yourself? GO HERE . Advance the video to 26-27min. and to 37min to see watch the motions. The one vote taken had the shape of an 'amendment' allowing for changes in language. (37min.)
I am not a lawyer, but in my brief research of Robert's Rules of Order (RRO) I noticed the following shaky parliamentary procedures.
1) A Director never "read the resolution(s) and handed it over to the Chair." (RRO) Nor did a Director or the Chair read the resolutions or resolution numbers. How does the public know what was voted on?
2) "The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations" (RRO), as is the Superintendent's report and so they can't substitute for reading the resolution.
3) The final Motion (by the Chair) and seconded by (Bernard?) was "to allow changes" (amendments). The Chair never read the resolutions or referred to them other than as "ballot measures".
4) The Chair didn't declare, "The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted" (PPO). The resolutions were never identified or read.
This voting appeared loosey-goosey, disorganized and lacking common sense parliamentary process. Yet, the District's attorney says it's legal. Of course. Scrutiny of the tapes show the LWSD School Board parliamentary process is problematic.
Why do I care so much? I honor and respect the Board's service. But, the Board's current voting process leaves anyone viewing the vote (especially, without the resolutions) confused about "what was going on." Voting on $300M measures is serious business and the public should expect it's done right, so it's understandable and appropriately recorded for the record.
What do you think? Wendy, you too. What's right about the School Board's process? Will you listen to the tapes? Dr. Kimball's comments and the District legal counsel's argument are beyond capacity of this blog platform.
11/23/09 meeting video tape.
by Bob Yoder
PS. No need to download "Silverlite" to view the video. I don't recommend it.
Do you have a link that gives specific information about how the money from the levies and the bond measure is to be spent?
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, go to www.lwsd.org for the link: I copied the descriptions from the link, below:
ReplyDelete"The renewal Capital Projects Levy provides money to pay for building repairs and system replacements as well as technology replacement and upgrades. The facilities plan levy replaces major systems, like roofs, at appropriate times through the life of each school building. It also pays for safety and accessibility improvements and for water and energy conservation projects. The technology portion of the levy provides students equipment and software to help them learn and gives teachers technology that allows them to help students learn. It includes technology replacement, infrastructure and training.
A new bond measure would prevent overcrowding, enable the district’s change to a four-year high school configuration and provide for equitable high school facilities. Growth projections show the district will need two or more elementary schools by 2014. Expansion projects at Redmond and Eastlake High Schools and for Environmental and Adventure School would both provide space for the change in grade configuration for the district. Building at the secondary school level would relieve the need for even more elementary schools. Putting the modernization of Juanita High School in this measure now rather than in 2014 would bring it up to the standard of the other three high schools in the district. It would also take advantage of a favorable environment for construction costs and interest rates."
-LWSD web site.