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6 By Dane Anderson, Staff Writer
Eanes school board members approved a measure on a 4-2 vote June 17 that calls for appointing a replacement for Gail King, who leaves with her family to move to Virginia in August.
Voting to appoint King’s replacement rather than hold a special election in November were Robert Durkee, Paul Stone, Ellen Balthazar and Mike Monnig. Board president Jim Strickland and Clint Sayers voted against the measure, with King abstaining.
“We have all been elected to this board,” Sayers said. “Some people believe that is the way people should become a member of the board. Then we have somebody the community selected rather than somebody we selected.”
Sayers pointed out that King would not be leaving until August, which would leave only 90 days with an unfilled seat before the possible November special election.
Superintendent Nola Wellman estimated the last election cost the district between $10,000 and $11,000 to hold. She said the cost of each election varied depending on how many other positions with other entities were being filled. Participating governmental bodies split the cost of elections.
“I remind you, Clint, and the public that the seat will be filled by the public next May,” said board member Paul Stone. “We are talking about a timing issue and saving money.”
The board directed Wellman to post the opening on the board immediately. Letters of interest should be sent to board president Jim Strickland by July 31.
Strickland said he foresaw the remainder of the selection process to include developing a standardized application form with an essay portion, interviewing and selection. Sayers said he thought all applicants should be interviewed. District attorney Bernadette Gonzalez said that all interviews should be held during public forum.
The board has 180 days from last week’s meeting to appoint a replacement school board member.
Assuming that the trustees follow Ms Gonzalez’s advice to hold the interviews in public, there is still an additional step that the board did not discuss (I was there), After the interview process is complete, the Board should conduct all deliberations about this selection in public, as well. After all, this is not an administrative position with all the commensurate employment privacy issues: this is a non-paid, public servant position. If the public is not able to see the process, and hear the deliberations that result in the appointment, then the board may as well go ahead and just appoint whoever they want, because the net effect will be the same: If we can’t see the process, the public will be denied the representation of an independent board member.
Since when was Nola Wellman concerned with saving taxpayer dollars? Check out the conferences she attends and the digs she stays in during those trips …
I have big concerns about how the Eanes ISD board deliberates in closed session when they cite “personnel exceptions” of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Like “Open Government” I believe that unless each and every aspect of this process is open to the public, the resulting “selection” will be anything but independent. Just as some on the board wish.
You few are a ruff, ruff crowd. For a while I have been dismayed and confused at the dissatisfaction of a very vocal minority with Nola Wellman, but now I completely understand. The genesis of said dissatisfaction is from only a handful that has absolutely nothing better to do with their time, who wants things done exactly their way, who don’t weigh the benefits and results of her leadership and those who just like to whine about everything/anything/something…whine, whine, whine…did I say whine?
Great things most often come in small packages and Nola is one of them and I for one am a card carrying Nola-ite.
She has made decisions that have been forgone in the past because they were the tough ones…she’s making them and the results have been exceptional.
Because folks have died for generations defending your right to free speech discourse is always great to see, but as the results of the last board election proved out, you’re probably playing a banjo with one string.
I would bet that until your input becomes more constructive and less disruptive, folks will continue to turn you off rather than be turned on by your rant.
You may want to just Shhhhhhhh…
Sit Rex…..down boy..stay…what a well trained dog!
In sharp contrast to Rex the Dog, there exists a rapidly growing constituency that simply refuses to roll over and play dead when commanded. They don’t exist in a dogs world of blind faith. These are the folks with street smarts and the motivation to work towards larger rewards…….a change in leadership and spending priorities resulting in the improved quality of education for all students attending Eanes ISD.
Rex the Dog –
Regarding your above rant, you hold up the administration and board of this public school district as if they are royalty and we, as taxpayers, are subjects who should just submit and “ssshhhhh” our questions.
You work hard (because you fear free speech) to silence those with the courage and will to speak out at board meetings and in the community (and not anonymously, Rex the Dog, but using their own name). Instead of addressing the issues and respecting the diversity of experiences and opinions, you simplify your response by attacking those who speak out.
So wear your “collar” and your anonymous dog-tags and Nola will continue to lead you around. Blind obedience is rarely confusing. You are well-trained. Good boy.
Now, we’ll get back to the issues – even if the Eanes ISD leadership tries to sic you on us.