Viewpoints
A fair process is not limited
to private meetings
By Susan Doherty
June 12, 2006
Monday
When elected officials don't respond to their constituents, how
do you get their attention? Perhaps my methods for getting the
school board's attention were a little over the top, and if so,
I apologize. Since my posting on Sitnews, I have had a lengthy
conversation with the School Board President.
In his letter School Board member Harpold refers to a process.
Where was the process that should have been followed by the Superintendent
long before we got to this point? Mr. Eklund gets demoted on
the last day of school. If Mr. Eklund doesn't agree with his
demotion he can sue? Is that where we START the process? I don't
think so.
The process starts with an evaluation, which Mr. Eklund had in
April of 2006. Was there a plan of improvement, did Mr. Eklund
receive an unsatisfactory evaluation? NO. On May 10, the board
approved the Administrators' contracts, which reflected Mr. Eklund
being paid the salary for high school principal; Was that not
a vote to approve Mr. Eklunds continued employment as the principal?
Then on the last day of school Mr. Martin informs Mr. Eklund
he is demoting him because Mr. Martin had talked with Board members
and decided that the District needed new leadership at the high
school.
A fair process is not limited to private meetings between Board
members and the superintendent to discuss school personnel outside
of a school board meeting. A fair process involves gathering
all pertinent facts in an impartial manner At least one board
member feels the Superintendent misrepresented some important
factual information while building his case against Mr. Eklund.
Perhaps other board members also feel they were played , or will
feel that way after hearing more information on Wednesday. If
that is the case, the decision is very simple: vote to not accept
the demotion of Mr. Eklund and make clear your desire to retain
him as the principal.
I expect our elected officials to serve the community that elected
them and to use the power given them to make decisions in the
best interest of the community- and the kids- they serve.
Susan Doherty
Ketchikan, AK - USA
About: "I have already stated my background, look at who
has responded negatively to my comments. Draw your own opinion
on their past history, and where their interests lie. 26 year
resident."
Note: Comments published
on Viewpoints are the opinions of the writer
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
Write a Letter -------Read Letters
E-mail the Editor
Sitnews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska
|