Editorial: For the Board of Education, Feedback Is Part of the Assignment

Piedmont is a public school district. That means it receives government dollars, its employees are government employees, and it answers to citizens. Like jury duty, the Miranda warning, and elections, public school districts have to do it by the books–the name of the game is protocol. That means the Board of Educations has to be open to public comment. On the way into City Hall, one can pick up a 3 x 5 card, write their name, and be afforded 150 seconds to speak their mind. Last issue, TPH encouraged its readers to take advantage of this tool. The Editorial Board agreed that civic engagement of this variety plays an utterly essential role in the democratic process.
Unfortunately, the March 26 Board of Education meeting dampened our enthusiasm about due process. During the meeting, several community members used their rights to defend the elementary school band program from any cuts. An email sent out earlier that week raised alarm among PUSD musicians and catalyzed the collective action. Among the speakers were heartfelt parents, students, and teachers, expressing their concern for a beloved program they believed to be under threat. After everyone who wanted to speak had done so, members of the board took time to acknowledge the concern. It became apparent that the board and the community were operating with different sets of information.
The board members expressed frustration and disappointment at what they perceived as attacks from the public.
“We should not all be here in this state of distress and disarray right now, and it caused a level of drama that I find very disappointing.”
“If we cannot discuss possible changes, then we cannot do anything, we cannot do our jobs. And if any potential change comes with pitchforks, then it’s going to be very difficult for us to do anything.”
“A lot of this angst and frustration is for naught.”
The Editorial Board found this response disheartening.
The role of public elected officials is to carry out the wishes of the public. Part of that includes listening to the wishes of the public. When members of a public school district attend a public meeting and use public time in a public building to defend something that they are afraid to lose, they are not touting pitchforks. This isn’t a shocking or upsetting situation, it’s exactly what was in the job description. Complete and utter transparency at every step of the process can feel frustrating, but the district shouldn’t be run like a business. Efficacy and efficiency come second to public engagement.
We ask that the members of the board respect that public outcry is part of the deal. Things will get ugly sometimes, but that’s the role the public sometimes takes. The administrators’ role is to not take it personally.