School board supervisors

[dennis in se pa]

What motivates these people to be on school boards if they are not directly compensated? Ego? Kickbacks? A lot of articles on the 'net about graft and getting busted. My school district does not compensate them. But they are always pushing large capital projects when the residents don't want them. And they continue to make stupid decisions that cost the district money. When they are up for re-election they run unopposed because no sane person would want the job. 2 of the nine on our board are sensitive to the taxpayers, the other 7 act like dictators with huge egos.

What are your thoughts on why someone would want this position?

[masraum]

I suspect many/most think they are trying to do good, or think that their beliefs are for the best and want to push them out to everyone. Are these the same folks that work for HOAs and in HR?

[nota]

a percent of nothing is nothing

but a small percent of a big project gets them real money

follow the money

[widgeon13]

If the system works like ours they do it because they think they are doing good. The school budget in our district has to be voted for approval so while the board presents it, the public must approve before any spending takes place. I would expect that kick backs are illegal. Aren't board positions elected? So if they are and you don't like them, why not try to vote them out.

[ckelly78z]

In my experience, personal ego, and political aspirations could be the only reason for wanting public office. I was railroaded out of guilt into a situation that I was on a village town council many years ago. It's amazing how 6 reasonable people could bicker and ***** that much....I quit after 1 year never to consider another spot on a "board".

It's basically a popularity contest for adults.

[dennis in se pa]

"Aren't board positions elected? So if they are and you don't like them, why not try to vote them out."


"When they are up for re-election they run unopposed because no sane person would want the job."

[Porchdog]

I've seen 3 dominant themes in the Members / Candidates that I know personally - either their kids are in the district and they have an agenda for their child, their children are out of school and they want to reduce spending (property taxes in most of this state) or they see it as a stepping stone to greater political involvement.

[VincentVega]

^x2

The other I see is folks that think there should be no limit to educational spending and they need to be the voice of the children.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I've seen 3 dominant themes in the Members / Candidates that I know personally - either their kids are in the district and they have an agenda for their child, their children are out of school and they want to reduce spending (property taxes in most of this state) or they see it as a stepping stone to greater political involvement.

and what is wrong with this rational?

[Evans, Marv]

As already mentioned, ego, higher political aspirations, strong personal agenda, power, personal gain, etc., etc. The school district I worked for was criticized for decades by outsiders and the teachers' union for corruption, nepotism, cronyism, mismanagement of funds, and lots of other things. It had one Superintendent for something like 30 years who had three sons working for the District. Two were Assistant Superintendents, & the other was a Principal. Personal friends and brown nosers were guaranteed to go far. Last time I heard years ago, the budget was 60+ million dollars. Finally about two or three years ago 4 of the 5 Board members were indicted and convicted of accepting bribes and favors from a contractor that received millions in contracts that for years were not open bids. I hear of lots of school districts going through similar situations. Seems that when people get into those positions, they tend to think they become untouchable.

[Icemaster]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

...2 of the nine on our board are sensitive to the taxpayers, the other 7 act like dictators with huge egos.....

Having personally been popularly elected to a council role in the past.......it's this.

Individuals have their agenda or interpretation on how the world should work and god help anyone who doesn't think like they do or dares to stand in 'opposition' to their view. Remember you're talking about folks who interpret "Have you looked at alternatives or different solutions" as "You are an effing idiot who doesn't deserve to draw breath, go die in a fire". And respond in kind.

There is no discourse.

Randomly the pendulum does swing back to the other side where you can have a group of focused, well-reasoned, passionate individuals who drive to make something better or change the world, however small it may be. It's never been long lived however as it's a constant battle against the folks that set themselves up as the opposition. Really, it's nothing more than rule through capitulation cause eventually you just get worn out from the constant fight. Goes hand in glove with our current legal system.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I've seen 3 dominant themes in the Members / Candidates that I know personally - either their kids are in the district and they have an agenda for their child, their children are out of school and they want to reduce spending (property taxes in most of this state) or they see it as a stepping stone to greater political involvement.

Originally Posted by widgeon13

and what is wrong with this rationale?

With a little tweaking, I don't see any problem with those reasons.

1) Their kids are in the district and they have an agenda for their child that applies to all the children as well.

2) They want to reduce spending, if possible, but focus budgets on what is most effective for the direct education of the children in the district.

3) They see it as a stepping stone to greater political involvement after a serious commitment to improving the school district through efforts to achieve items 1 and 2.

This applies to an individual's reason for running. The reality of a group operating as a school board often degenerates rapidly and the individuals who have the best intentions soon depart. Best illustrated by Icemaster's post, above.

[widgeon13]

thanks for the spell correct!

[afterburn 549]

You too can be on the school board.
Put your breeding in private school.