Afterthoughts
Patting backs
The school board regularly thanks those around it – the superintendent, administrators, staff, students. It should recognize the efforts of those people. Less often, the board has cause to thank the leaders of other agencies. At a recent meeting, board members took time out to thank Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene and Director of Forest-Warren Human Services Mary Kushner.
And good job
When the school board got together to do a self-evaluation, the members generally gave themselves good marks. We’re glad. While self-awareness is to be admired, no matter how a group is actually doing, the majority of the individuals should think they’re doing it right or they should change. In the long run, the voters will let them know one way or the other.
Afterthoughts
Instinct
A reporter went to a school board meeting and a parade broke out. When a school district administrator knocked the bowl of candy in front of him over, several pieces landed on the floor. The reporter, watching from 20 feet away, had a strong urge to charge over and grab all the loot and retreat quickly. Must be a carry-over from a simpler day when candy was crucial and decorum was something for grown-ups.
Hold your applause
It is not typical for there to be applause during a school board committee meeting. At a recent one, a committee member, right as his committee’s meeting was being adjourned, slapped his hands together exactly once. We took a quick look and don’t think he was rejoicing. With the door open to help alleviate the heat, we recognized the pose as one that sometimes results in the death of an annoying insect.
It is what it is
Sometimes people do things because that’s how it is. Orders roll downhill. At a recent school board meeting, an administrator said staff is spending more time than they’d like on a number of issues. “Why are they happening? They’re happening because they have to.” Hard to argue….
Strapped
The dust cloud of the Jun horde was on the horizon and Warren County School District brought the herds within the walls and started stockpiling. The horde was the enemy known as PSERS – with payments to a retirement system that have risen several hundred percent in a few years. The stockpiles against the seige were piles of money. “We’ve girded our loins for it,” according to a school board member. From $18 million on June 30, 2015, the designated fund balance is projected to be at $10 million at the end of this fiscal year.