BOE #2

 The Reorganization meeting is an action taking meeting. There were several book keeping items that usually pass on a single vote as part of the Consent Agenda which by definition is not subject to discussion or remarks. By the customary Parliamentary Procedures once remarks are made about any item of business by members of the voting body ,or where the public is permitted to comment by a speaker  it has to be removed from the Consent Agenda and voted  separately.

As I have remarked the BOE marches by a different drummer when it comes to voting procedures. Does  the BOE have a printed rules of order pertaining to meetings and if so should it posted  in the meeting call to avoid confusion. If it does  then the way they treat the Consent Agenda can be considered proper.

Ms Barksdale voted yes for the Constant Agenda with "the exception of  Resolution H which is the Designation of an Official Publication. She felt that it should be delayed for  investigation of other media as the possible source for notices. Once again the organizations procedural rules should reflect the process. Ms. Barksdale did not suggest what alternate route for the Public Notices she was considering. She did however make some remark about revisiting the subject at the monthly business meeting.

Council President Hernandez  request the entire Board to read Resolution X out load. This Resolution was the adoption of  a Code of Ethics for the Board.  Mr Abdul-Haqq's body language suggest that he was bored by the  matter. and sat placidly while the members were reciting.


During the Public Comment period several school teachers appealed that the  terminating of Language teachers in  the elementary schools be reconsider, Resident Maria Pellum at the Microphone began her remarks in Spanish. I am sure that 99 % of the audience and 100%  at the Head Table did not understand her but she  had made a point about the importance of teaching at least Spanish  in the elementary level.

It  was during the Public comment period which focused on the "layoffs" some one  at the Head Table remarked that the speakers must have knowledge of something that the Board did not ,since the Board had had no discussion of that issue. This was addressed in Resolution Y "Reduction in Force"  the subject of the prolong  closed "Executive Session" which interrupted the Public meeting at 9 pm for at least an hour "or more". Read Maria's Blog.

 Mrs. Pellum  presented most of her questions to the Board a copy can be found here (questions.)..The Board did not seem interested in replying but the Interim-Superintendent Bellin-Pyles said that question of "staff review" fell under the  personnel matters  mantra and could only be discussed in closed session.

Since the Question was on a General Subject One and not related to any individual the answer about closed session was wrong and suggested by inference that the reviews had not taken place. So much for transparency.

Once more I will reiterate that I believe that this Board under its focused President Hernandez will be a positive force in revivmg the PSS. I am sure that it  will get its priorities right and set policy that will lead to a better student . This board will understand that the Superintendent, and the Board Secretary work for them in their role as fiduciaries for the public, not the other way. They must rely on those individual for advice as well as cumming up with a long term  plan..