Board Retreat
Well, that didn't take long.
At the retreat, the agenda has the Alliance logo right at the top of the agenda.
At the retreat, the Alliance person explained how they had been organizing the retreats for the last 5 years. The facilitator explained the agenda. But Sharon Peaslee stopped him and asked how the agenda got shaped.
Peaslee said that she had appreciated how, in the past, Board members were queried about what they wanted to discuss. She said she had not been consulted (nor had Michael or Marty). They said they "tried" to talk to everyone but didn't. Peaslee said that it was a Board retreat and if they didn't weigh in, it might not be addressing what they want.
Superintendent Banda said they did want the retreat to be about the Board.
So I was told the Alliance doesn't shape the agenda. They sure did today. And the Alliance didn't have time to touch base with each Board member before the retreat that bears their name.
At the retreat, the agenda has the Alliance logo right at the top of the agenda.
At the retreat, the Alliance person explained how they had been organizing the retreats for the last 5 years. The facilitator explained the agenda. But Sharon Peaslee stopped him and asked how the agenda got shaped.
Peaslee said that she had appreciated how, in the past, Board members were queried about what they wanted to discuss. She said she had not been consulted (nor had Michael or Marty). They said they "tried" to talk to everyone but didn't. Peaslee said that it was a Board retreat and if they didn't weigh in, it might not be addressing what they want.
Superintendent Banda said they did want the retreat to be about the Board.
So I was told the Alliance doesn't shape the agenda. They sure did today. And the Alliance didn't have time to touch base with each Board member before the retreat that bears their name.
Comments
Thank you Director Peaslee!!
What I'd like to see is the Alliance pay for a leader facilitator. One with no agenda other than moving conversation along. That is a helpful expenditure of private dollars.
But then the Alliance should butt out.
DistrictWatcher
The Alliance has to go.
So how long did the Alliance try?
How many emails were sent to each director?
How many phone messages were left?
My BS detector reports BS on the claim of "tried".
-- Dan Dempsey
- Curious
Many of these people, like Superintendent Banda and Board President Smith-Blum, are serving ex officio. That means that they are put on the Alliance Board as part of their job, not as individuals chosen for the role. They are filling the seat reserved for their company.
Director Smith-Blum and Mr. Banda -- if you are reading this. Please get this under control. Voters -- the ones who pass your levies, and parents -- the ones who volunteer in your schools and man the PTAs, are beyond tired of the overweening influence, and the smell of cronyism that pervades virtually everything the Alliance now does with the District. You are the deciders here. I realize you have to be polite -- but restore the Alliance to its fundraising/supporting position, and stop allowing them to push the District around. We didn't elect them -- and we don't want them running things.
But there was some other tension and I'll write up a thread today.
I agree. Although, Banda pointed out he wanted the meeting to be about the board. It sounds as if he is trying to make healthy boundaries.
I don't know why we need all the fancy set up. I respect my Board members (even the ones I disagree with) and the Superintendent as professionals who are able to communicate with each other and get things done without all this fluff! (Frankly, ditch the professional emcee and order a couple of martinis instead if you need to loosen up.)
too much drama
Sharon is really on the side of us
LittlePeeps
will it be Publicola or the Seattle Times or Crosscut ??
I'd say there is a 90% chance of an article by Tuesday, 99% chance of an article by Friday.
LittlePeeps