Philosophy
Through many years sitting through Board meetings as a school district employee and a Board member, I have had the privilege of observing and working with some of the most dedicated individuals. Those people are the foundation for my perspective on how a Board should function and best serve the district. My philosophy is based on the following:
- • Integrity, Independence and Objectivity
- • Research and Preparation
- • Listening, being approachable
- • The ability to make and support even the most difficult decisions
- • Comments and feedback when appropriate and relevant
- • Focus on Education and Children First
The Board of Education has very specific roles: Hire and evaluate the Superintendent, set policy and approve the budgets that ensure the District is run in a financially responsible manner. DeWitt has been fortunate to have dedicated individuals serving on the Board, some for several years.
I believe the Board should fulfill these responsibilities and not meddle in the day to day administration of the district. Management of the district is delegated to the Superintendent and the various Administrative team members serving in many critical capacities. The individuals assigned those duties should be evaluated based on a set of objective criteria unique to their specific responsibilities. The Board must stay abreast of issues and developments within the district and communicate consistently and regularly with the community.
Communication is essential to our success. Board members must be approachable and available. They must listen to the concerns and feedback from the residents we represent and formulate opinions and positions accordingly. They must also weigh the information available to them when making decisions. The District has a successful communication structure including newsletters, Friday folder mailings and a quality website that has recently been redesigned. However, we must continually strive to find communication methods and tools that will effectively and efficiently communicate important issues related to school operations.
Board members across Michigan are going to be very challenged during the next two years as school funding shortfalls impact even the most financially strong districts. The Board and Community must work collaboratively and lines of communication must remain open in order to successfully address these issues and protect the integrity of our academic programs.