As you know, I was not able to attend the meeting tonight but I was patched in via phone (from Houston), so I was able to hear the dialog concerning School Connected Organizations.
I'd like to touch on a few items if I may.
One of the topics that was talked about was concerning whether the second paragraph in the Policy related to authorization by the Board to allow a non profit to be a school connected organization or whether the wording allowed for oversight of individual fundraising events. I'd like to refer you back to the audio of the November 19th meeting because some on the Board held one view and others held another. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By8c1bEsdvh0eVdQWXE4d3ZiaFk/view?usp=sharing
What was clear was the Superintendents intentions.
Tonight it was said many times that the parents in the room were confused regarding what was said on November 19th, but I contest that parents like my wife who spoke on this issue were not confused. They new the facts of what was said because they have listened to the audio over and over. Trustee Phil Rodriguiz went on to say that he believed that the second paragraph of the Policy referenced the global authorization for a non profit to be a school connected organization, but Trustee Judy McGooden said that the wording allowed the Board "the latitude" to let the Superintendent do what he said he intended to do, and that was to publish an AR that mandates that the principals will present to the Board what the Home and School Clubs are doing and that the Board will give approval for those events.
Until a draft AR is provided to the parents, all we have to go on are the words that have been spoken, and the most clarify details of the AR to date, were delivered during that November 19th meeting.
I'd also like to direct your attention to the subject of authorization of fundraising events in this audio clip. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By8c1bEsdvh0aHlLcGZ6NlhmNVE/view?usp=sharing
It is clear that the Superintendent wants control over how the AR is going to enforce his rules and he "cautions all of you" that you don't want to be involved with that. That statement makes us parents continue to worry. We don't trust the Superintendent.
One of the other topics was concerning how designation of funds from fundraising will occur. Once again, I'd like to refer the Board back to what said on November 19th. When I asked the question about whether each fundraising event required a corresponding purpose, the Superintendent stated, "We will really designate why parents are giving and what the target is."
That makes it pretty clear that the Superintendent intends to control "why we are giving and what the target is."
As I said on December 3rd, I encourage all of you to listen to the audio of the November 19th meeting, and please listen from a hard working, giving, parents point of view and not from the Board member point of view. We know the Board needs to protect the interest of the School District, but we the parents have to protect the interest of our Home and School Clubs, and when attacked with baseless accusations, we stand up and fight. I know Trustee McGooden tonight said something to the effect of why can't we get along (don't quote me on the exact words but that was the spirit of it), but I'd like to point out that there were a lot of hurtful things said last month, followed by proposed remedies to rectify unsupported accusations, and the parents are a little raw about all of that. Until what was said on November 19th is addressed, you'll probably keep hearing about it over and over.
Here is the whole 35 minute dialog unabridged.
I would like to once again, ask for a copy of the draft AR, so we can put the "confusion" behind us and work toward an agreeable document.
Respectfully,
-- Chris Hadland
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