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Update of School Board Meeting of August 21, 2012 as Reported by Another Board Member, Mrs. Shelia Friday In April of last year, I was elected to serve as a board member of our School District and accepted that responsibility with pride and honor. I knew going in that we as board members would have our successes and opportunities for improvements. I was equally aware that we differed as individuals. However, I was optimistic that we would unite as one board. A board with mutual respect for each other, our constituents, and most of all, our children. I believe that each of my fellow board members know that I am honestly independent in thought. I never claimed to be a reformer, but to be a voice of reason as we work to reestablish our schools as among the best in the State. As I have always said, our children can learn. However, I believe our schools and administration will only be as good as its Board. As Board Members we not only set the direction in which our schools go, we set the examples for success and failure. I am saddened to say that I received several calls from community members about the incidents that occurred at our last board meeting. To be specific, the action of some of the board members were inappropriate, disrespectful, and discouraging. As a fellow member of the Board, I am very embarrassed and disappointed. At no time should a board member engage in a shouting match with the public. We are elected by the public, responsible to the public and depended on by the public to ensure that our children receive a quality education that will prepare them for their next life experience, be it college, employment, or family. While we as individuals or the Board may not agree with comments made by our constituents, we should never react as it occurred at the last board meeting. To make comments to a community member such as "meet me outside", and call a community member "whatever your name is" instead of by their name, is simply unprofessional and should never happen again. It does not matter what was said by the community member. We are expected to remain professional. Can you imagine seeing our U.S. President, your Village President, State Representative, or any other elected official speaking in this manner to a constituent? They too are challenged, spoken to in harsh tones, and openly accused by the public as well. But you won't see them act in such a manner. Sometimes silence really is golden. To openly accuse fellow board members of being paid to support a lawsuit against the School District is very inappropriate and could be considered slanderous. We are entitled to our opinions but we should never allow our opinion or anger to consume us to the point of financially jeopardizing our school district. What does it say to our community about us as a board? It says that we are divided and distrusting of each other. Why should our community trust us? It was stated that the newspapers don't write anything good about us but will report the negative. If this is your belief, please ask yourself what role you play in the negative articles being written. It was also stated that our students are listening to what we say and are watching us. If this is your belief, please ask yourself what role you play in the apprehensiveness on the part of our students and parents to trust us. It is my desire that this letter is accepted in the spirit in which it is written and that we all all take a sincere look at how we will represent our school district going further. Our community deserves better. Sincerely, Shelia M. Friday, Board Member | 
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