On Thursday, TUSD Board President Michael Hicks proposed a “blueprint” for the Governing Board to “engage the community in the tasks before it,” including the search for a new superintendent. Last month, Hicks called on his fellow Board members to put their differences aside and work together on that search.
Hicks described the proposal as a “foundation upon which to begin conversations around the District’s most pressing issues.”
“TUSD is at a crossroads,” writes Hicks in his proposal. “Poor decisions and unfortunate circumstances have brought us to the point where we must make difficult choices in the best interest of students. The desire to restore excellence to the District has brought us to the point where we have the opportunity to make a fresh start. The universal demand for safe classrooms led by highly effective teachers, and filled with well-equipped prepared students gives us our mandate.”
Hicks says he is expecting criticism; quoting Sen. Margaret Chase Smith in his proposal, “Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.”
In his press release, Hicks encourages his “fellow Board members, educators, and other stakeholders to offer constructive criticism of his proposal.” Hicks considers the proposal a “starting point.” He hopes the document will “demonstrate that the District’s leadership is dedicated to developing clear and collaborative processes.”
“Over time, the Board has heard from members of the public during the Call to the Audience, in emails, telephone calls, and at the school sites. When I go to the store I run into people, who want to share their advice or stories about our schools. Almost everyone has the same concerns. They want strong leaders in our schools and overseeing the district and they want safe classrooms. That is why I addressed those issues in this proposal. They are in my opinion the issues the Board must address in the immediate future in a collaborative manner.”
“I want input. This is not a decree; it is a blueprint,” said Hicks in the press release.
Because the District experienced another decrease in enrollment, equally nearly an anticipated $5 million loss in revenue, the Board will have to make cuts. “As we begin to make the cuts that our budget restraints require, our community members must have faith that we are doing so to ensure that every dollar possible is going into our classrooms,” writes Hicks.
“A review of our organizational chart and a comparison to other similar districts clearly shows what the priorities have been. For too long, we blamed a ballooning administrative staff on the Unitary Status Plan. That scapegoating must end, and making real efforts to achieve unitary status while trimming our spending must – and can – begin. We must adhere to the Court order and be mindful of its requirements and our obligations to it as we assess what we can and cannot afford,” continues Hicks.
“We must go through our budget and identify and protect those services and departments that reflect the District’s priorities and the community’s values in keeping with promises made to employee groups and in compliance with the Unitary Status Plan (USP),” notes Hick. He argues that the Board cannot “begin looking to our classrooms for cost savings,” but “must evaluate each and every administrative position and department in light of its direct value to principals, teachers, and students and their families.”