EXTRA! EXTRA! PUSD's Own Website Proves the New Board's Authority and Responsiblities!

The same vocal minority that continues to harass the PUSD "New Board" (All six or seven people, half from the same family! YAWN....now that's some MAJOR opposition to the great new closed campus lunch policy), regularly whines that the Board has "overstepped" it's authority by setting policy to close campuses during lunch. This is an interesting, albeit weak accusation to begin with, given the tremendous amount of local districts who already have such a policy in place, so I took a look on PUSD's own website to research the board's authority and responsibilites myself. Sure enough, under the "governing board" section, a beautiful explanation of the Board's duties is clearly spelled out. Just what does it say? Here goes....you're in for a major surprise (pause....................NOT!)!

Policy

"By law, the Governing Board sets District policies and has final authority over all school district business. The District’s policy manual may be viewed at all PUSD schools and the District Administration Center during regular hours, or click on the policy manual link above. The District’s superintendent is appointed by the Governing Board and is charged with the execution of Board policy. The superintendent works closely with the administrative staff when developing recommendations for Board consideration."

Were you surprised!? I wasn't either. Once again, we find that the new board is acting within it's power to set policies such as closing campuses. PUSD's own website proves the board's policy making authority and responsibility! Not only that, we see that the board has "final authority" over ALL school district business. Essentially, THE BOARD IS THE BOSS! Among a million different things, this must mean it is entitled to fair and independent legal opinions if it so requests, free from the ridiculous stonewalling that has been thrown at it, so the board members can ensure they are best serving the tax payers, students, and teachers of the PUSD. It also must mean it is entitled to as much information as is necessary to make important decisions, as we all know people in positions of "final authority" need a plethora of information if they are truly attempting to serve in their duly-elected positions effectively. Let me say that again....as per PUSD's own website, the board has "FINAL AUTHORITY" over ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUSINESS. THE BOARD IS THE BOSS!

Interestingly enough, the description of the Governing Board's authority also states "the superintendent.....is charged with the execution of board policy". I guess that means the entire PUSD community can expect that the current District Administration ensures a smooth implementation of the closed campus policy, or there would be a serious case of inadequate performance of job duties occurring in the upper echelons of the District Administration.

Thank you, PUSD, for providing us with this enlightening information about the Board's authority and duties. It is great that we are able to advance the truth from such a reliable source! May the truth prevail!

(: Dominic

A Marginalized Voice?

With such tremendous public backing for closed campuses from the PUSD community, radio personalities, newspaper reporters, all the way to the State Superintendent of Public Education, the vocal minority that constantly denounces the new board's decision to protect students by closing campuses continues to marginalize its voice.

The never-ceasing ad hominem method of arguing their points, attacking the messenger rather than the message (such as their latest jabs at State Superintendant Tom Horne) is a logical fallacy that ultimately serves to bring to our attention the real issue the PUSD is facing: it's not about closed campuses, it is about a group of people who are upset they are not in the power seats to make the backbone-filled, data-driven (and common sense) decisions the new board is making.

Check out the latest article about closed campuses in the PUSD here. May the truth prevail!

(: Dominic

AZ Schools Superintendent Tom Horne and Closed Campuses in the PUSD

More proof that the new PUSD governing board's decision to close campuses was best for students! Click here to read this great article. May the truth prevail!

(: Dominic