Southern York County Life

To see their response and our rebuttal, go to http://www.setrc.net Look at the first two announcements: “SETRC presents B&G;recommendations” and “Our rebuttal to SESD’s reply to our B&G;Recommendations”

It really is frustrating how they won’t accept help from the community.  Free help at that.

From their presentation that they wanted the community experts to be paid by the district.

It sounds like they are going to do what they want to do regardless of input from any outside source.
It’s just business as usual at SESD.

I kind of got that impression too.  I dont believe that was the case though.

Shawn - 07 July 2008 08:11 AM

From their presentation that they wanted the community experts to be paid by the district.

The Citizen Advisory Board would be strictly volunteer.  We felt having a list of paid (at a nominal fee) 3rd party experts whom the Board could call on as needed could be beneficial.  At the presentation, we even stated, it may be the same people that are on the Citizen Advisory Board.

I have heard Board members say that they are trying to build a more “positive” image.  Recent actions on their part does not support this, in my opinion.  They changed the policy regarding note taking at committee meetings.  Is it because they don’t think it’s important or necessary? Or is it because they would not appreciate the community asking for a copy of the committee minutes?  The Board flatly turned down the request to form a Citizen’s Advisory Committee (which is also in School Board policy).  The Board members are overwhelmed with meetings and information.  The Advisory Board could do some of the legwork, give “expert” opinions, present different perspectives instead of just Crabtree and Rohrbach, etc.  Of course professional feasibility studies cost money and they nearly always recommend spending big money!  There are a couple Board members who are trying to “balance the scales” but they are outnumbered. 

Here comes the plug - PLEASE attend SESD committee meetings!  Take a couple hours a month, choose a committee and find out how SESD is planning to spend YOUR money!  The Board appears to NEED some community members with common sense to help them make decisions - case in point, the piano fiasco!  I take my own advice and attend Board meetings AND as many committee meetings as I can but having only one or two people show up does NOT impress the Board!

I was looking through the board rules and regs the other day.  I was struck at how often it mentions involving the community and ‘stakeholders’ in the process.  In my opinion there is simply no basis for the way the school board is run.