Conroe news discusses their situation.
However, board members ultimately are elected by the voters, who are the taxpayers, and those trustees first have a responsibility to them.
Two items in the Rules of Conduct undermine those duties to the taxpayers.
One item states board members shall refer to the superintendent any and all complaints received from residents, including students, parents and employees, where any action by the administration may be required.
Another prevents board members from conducting investigations on their own of complaints by residents, including students, parents and employees. Any decision to conduct an investigation, and the manner in which an investigation is to be conducted, rests with the superintendent or the board.
As an elected official representing the public, board members should be allowed the opportunity to do their due diligence and look into matters entrusted in them by the public, including parents, students and staff members. Potential whistleblowers within the district also must be afforded some protection in coming forward with a complaint. That protection lies with the school board, not the administration, where the complaint may be targeted.
Two items in the Rules of Conduct undermine those duties to the taxpayers.
One item states board members shall refer to the superintendent any and all complaints received from residents, including students, parents and employees, where any action by the administration may be required.
Another prevents board members from conducting investigations on their own of complaints by residents, including students, parents and employees. Any decision to conduct an investigation, and the manner in which an investigation is to be conducted, rests with the superintendent or the board.
As an elected official representing the public, board members should be allowed the opportunity to do their due diligence and look into matters entrusted in them by the public, including parents, students and staff members. Potential whistleblowers within the district also must be afforded some protection in coming forward with a complaint. That protection lies with the school board, not the administration, where the complaint may be targeted.
A comment:
In reference to the referral of complaints to the superintendent (assuming the complaint is not about the superintendent) you miss the point entirely. If the Board fails to process complaints in this fashion they WEAKEN their ability to hold the superintendent accountable for results. Hypothetically, if the Board handled all complaints then the superintendent is "off the hook" for ANY outcomes. The Board's duty is to assist their constituents resolve complaints through the proper channels - not handle them.
On the second issue of conducting investigations, ANY Board member actively involved in an investigation must recuse themselves (step out) of any hearing the Board conducts on the matter. In legal terms, they are tainted by "ex parte" information. Since a citizen would naturally complain to a sympathetic Trustee, that Trustee's involvement in an investigation would "knock out" a supporting vote if the issue should come before the Board.
I'd like to hear comments on both sides from Lancaster-ites...
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