Monday, August 15, I attended the Kennewick School Board meeting where six applicants for the open board position left by Wendy London were interviewed. The board is filling the position for the next several months until the November school board election. Six applicants were interviewed.
The 4 sitting board members asked eleven questions of each applicant with each board member assigned several specific questions. Board members listened to responses and had the option to take notes. Superintendent Dave Bond was present but did not participate in questioning.
My observations:
- All of the applicants are intelligent, educated, professional, civic-minded Kennewick citizens wanting to give back to our community through service to children and our public schools
- Three applicants who sought to fill the open position for the remaining term would, if appointed, terminate their service in November
- Three other applicants are also running for school board positions. Any one of them would benefit from selection to fill the open position, having an advantage as the favored appointee and several months experience on the board during the election campaign
- The board’s selection of Brian Brooks, a school board candidate, was not unanimous but confers on him the status of a school board member with board endorsement
It had been my expectation that the board would recognize the obvious advantage of this appointment to school board candidates and, in fairness and impartiality, give preference to non-candidates.
After listening to each of the six applicants I am left wondering what distinguishes Mr. Brooks?
The three non-candidates each have extensive experience in education as employees and volunteers. They know, first hand, the school district and the issues and concerns of families and students. They are well known advocates for students and are articulate representatives of the district and our community. They have attended school board meetings. Also, they have no agenda.
One of the three school board candidates shares the characteristics of extensive experience in Kennewick schools as an employee and volunteer. She has hands-on experience with district issues and the concerns of Kennewick families. She is a renowned advocate for students and their families, has attended school board meetings for over 5 years and is articulate representing the district and community.
Another candidate for school board explained to me that he participated in training from the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) several weeks ago in preparation for his candidacy. He learned about the role of school board members and engaged in role playing activities with other participants. This achievement matches or exceeds that of several sitting board members.
Mr. Brooks is a businessman and local employer with children, has volunteered in schools but has no experience attending school board meetings or grappling with educational issues. However, his responses to board questions and statement on the Benton County Elections website reveal that his platform reflects exactly that of three sitting board members. Apparently he is rewarded by the triumvirate that rules Kennewick schools for thinking exactly like they do.
Experience in the schools and diversity of opinion are not welcome.
It is my opinion three members of the school board have failed their duty to appoint the most qualified from the field of applicants but have chosen to play politics. I could be wrong so will ask board members to help me understand their decision.
Given the field of high quality non-candidate applicants willing to fill the interim board position, it appears the appointment was not based on merit but some other consideration. Brooks has been given an undeniable advantage in the coming school board election. Why? Many Kennewick citizens want to know.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/15/1603802/kennewick-school-board-to-interview.html
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/16/1605180/father-of-4-appointed-to-school.html
