You said:
"Staten and Moss certainly got input from the
community and spoke for a large part of the community
about the hiring of David Jennings as Carol Johnson's
permanent replacement."
I say:
How do you know this? When and how did that happen?
Did you speak with them to find out who they talked to
before they articulated their position publicly? A
large part of the community? That's a stretch.
Besides, what community are you talking about? The
northside community? the black community? the Latino
community, the asian community, the Somali community,
the white community, the southside community?
This "speaking for the community" issue is a big one.
Some people seem to think that anytime a small group
of people show up at a meeting or a press conference
they are "speaking for their community".
I believe a person can begin to try to speak for a
larger group like community when they prove they have
done their homework to gather opinion on a particular
issue. Homework like doorknocking, surveys, focus
groups or task force meetings, etc. Until then, they
are speaking for themselves.
I would agree that the positions taken by Rev. Staton
and Spike Moss probably do mirror what many people
were thinking. I would be interested to know what
communication and information gathering took place
between these gentlemen and the "community" they claim
to speak for. I would also like to know what
communication took place between these gentlemen and
the school board immediately after Carol Johnson quit
where they expressed their desire to have involvement
in the process.
Right now, I don't think there is anything in school
board ordinances that require public hearings on the
decision to choose a new superintendent. Maybe I am
wrong. If so, show me the ordinance that requires
that.
I am not saying people shouldn't have an avenue to
express their opinions on this, I am just saying that
currently, I don't think an official avenue exists. If
you think it is crucial to have public input into the
process of hiring the superintendent than you should
work to change to the ordinances to require it.
Barb Lickness
Whittier
=====
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed,
it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
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