A Governing Board that Governs: A Novel Concept?

To many people in the Peoria Unified School District, apparently, it is. To other school districts across the nation with similar organizational structures, being without one would spell disaster. Case in point: as representatives of the PUSD community, governing board members have every right to be consulted on appointments of key administrative positions in the PUSD. Not only was it standard practice for the board to be consulted on such appointments in EXECUTIVE SESSION before Diane Douglas was elected (for truth, see 6-8-2004 agenda HERE), but simply because (and I feel funny even having to highlight this, but unfortunately, it is necessary to do so) any person in their right mind who is serving on the Governing Board of a school district with an ANNUAL Maintenance and Operations budget of over $200,000,000 (yes, TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS per year), who is accountable to the community of the PUSD, SHOULD want input on administrative appointments! Doesn’t this just make sense?

Of course it does. And to provide further proof that the board members should be consulted in a proper and effective manner that allows them to ensure the standards of the district and of the community are being upheld when administrative recommendations are made by top level district administration, let us explore what the governing board’s own policy says:

"3.4.3 Principals, Directors, and Other Administrative Positions


As administrative openings occur, the recruitment process will follow the District's affirmative action policy. Candidates will be solicited through university placement offices, educational publications and electronic bulletins, in-district posting, and general announcement. Notices will reflect general requirements for the position including academic preparation, experience and special skills as specified in the job description.

Various alternatives for selection of recommended candidates may be utilized as approved by the Superintendent. Review committees made up of patrons, Assistant Superintendents for K-12 Academic Services other administrators, staff members and students may be convened. External agencies or consultants may be included in the recruiting process.

The individuals recommended for positions shall be documented as having the skills, and the potential, to meet and exceed the responsibilities of the assignment. Documentation may be reflected in reports of rigorous, competitive interviews, tests, simulations and site visitations.

Upon completion of the interview process, the superintendent will provide the Governing Board with summary information, along with recommendations for appointment. The Governing Board will consider the final selection and appointment."

One of the functions of the governing board is to act as the community source of input into district operations. Since the governing board is now NOT consulted on administrative appointments like it always had been prior to 2005, then, as referenced in the above policy, were “alternatives for selection of recommended candidates” used to allow for community input through another channel? If they were not used, and the board was not to be consulted, THEN WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING ELECTED MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY SERVE ON THE GOVERNING BOARD? Why not just replace them with appointees of the upper level district administration, as well!?

Interestingly, the last paragraph of that same policy informs us that “the Governing Board will consider the final selection and appointment” of recommendations. Did you know the word “CONSIDER” was actually “MAKE” before Diane Douglas was elected to the board?! Just ONE WORD was changed in the policy to try and strip the board of its right for consultation on administrative appointments in Executive Session. ONE WORD! What’s worse, changing that ONE WORD from “make” to “consider”, essentially allowed for the creation of a rubber stamp of the administration’s recommendations. Why even bother calling them “recommendations”, then!? If they are concrete appointments from the start and there is to be no consultation with community representatives (ie Governing Board), then why even bother bringing them up in a public meeting, at all!?

The newer board members are attempting to perform the correct function a board is supposed to perform: to GOVERN. The school board is the Governing Body overseeing the district, which top level district administration is supposed to work for; it sets policy and helps to ensure compliance with the policy it sets so as to establish a proper and effective system of checks and balances in the public school district setting. What many in the PUSD are not used to is a Governing Board acting like a Governing Board. The governing board has served as a "governed board" for years prior to the current new board, in which it was, what many people say, controlled by those it is supposed to oversee.


That a group of people (new board) would actually want to uphold and carry out the duties they were elected to carry out has seemingly been a huge eye opener to a district that has previously been encumbered by a virtual absence of an elected oversight body. It will quickly end up being understood as one of the most positive changes to have ever occured in our district, and will result in fair hiring practices, transparency, and true community connectedness unlike any ever seen before. For the sake of the employees of the PUSD, I am even hopeful it will result in the creation of a truly independent Human Resources Department that answers directly to the board rather than the top level district administrators, so employees no longer have to fear retribution and can be at peace in their careers knowing full well they have someone independent and confidential to go to for help when a situation arises that needs to be addressed. Thank you Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. Knecht, and Mr. Murphy. You have stayed true to every campaign promise, you are attempting to serve in your capacities to the best of your abilities, and you are making the community proud by representing it as you should. I can't wait to see what the future holds for our great district, which now has a true GOVERNING board! May the truth prevail!


(: Dominic