I had a Christmas tree to decorate, so I left last Monday’s
Gilroy School Board meeting after the joyous celebration of
swearing-in the newly elected trustees. I left before the quiet
debacle.
I had a Christmas tree to decorate, so I left last Monday’s Gilroy School Board meeting after the joyous celebration of swearing-in the newly elected trustees. I left before the quiet debacle.
Now that I’ve seen the videotape, let me re-cap events. Freshly sworn-in Board Member Rhoda Bress nominated Tom Bundros to be vice-president. Bundros has served on the board for two years; he shows up, works hard and asks tough questions. He has been, by all measures, the kind of trustee Gilroy can be proud of. Unfortunately, five of Bress’ fellow board members sat silent and not one of them would second her nomination.
According to Trustee Jim Rogers “Each board member probably had their own reasons. They’re not personal reasons.” What trustees did – the deafening silence of a nomination hanging in the air – was totally legal. It was also completely unprincipled. I was shocked to hear about it, but in retrospect, it shouldn’t have surprised me in the least.
How comforting it must be for Bundros to now know that it was nothing personal. Let me see if I get this straight: after working diligently alongside these people for two years, not one of them thinks enough of you to second your nomination. But you shouldn’t take it personally. Right.
Why the lack of a support for Bundros by T.J. Owens, who minutes earlier ascended to the presidency of the board? Why no second from David MacRae, who was elected with Bundros two years ago on promises of academic reform and excellence? Pat Midtgaard squandered an opportunity to make a good first impression. When faced with the lack of a second to the nomination of an experienced trustee, she could have spoken up and forced the board to put Bundros’ name to a vote.
While expectations for her are high, whether Midtgaard turns out to be an outstanding trustee remains to be seen. We don’t have to wait to see what kind of a trustee Bundros will be – he is a known quantity. He is living up to his campaign promises. Not one of the experienced members who have served with Bundros is his equal in integrity. Their collective image was tarnished when they refused to give him a chance to become vice-president. For a school district whose lame excuse of “not a good fit” has backfired on more than one occasion, you would think these fellows could have come up with something a little more creative.
Gilroy Unified School District is in serious trouble. Our schools rank among the lowest performing in Santa Clara County. The focus of the board should be razor-sharp on improving the academic program. Electing Midtgaard vice-president of the board during her first five minutes in office was a mistake. The vice-president needs to be someone who could step into the role of president if needed. Midtgaard may be an informed insider, but she has one board meeting under her belt. GUSD needs someone who can objectively observe this mess from the outside to effect change. There is no district insider that can save GUSD – we’d be better off calling for an old priest and a young priest.
The lines on the board are now sharply drawn.
With the departure of Bob Kraemer, Jim Rogers will now wield his considerable political clout. Rogers has proven that he could have influence over the board by just sitting in the audience. MacRae will be quiet on most issues, making an occasional gaffe and showing some occasional brilliance. Owens will continue to advocate for education without ever getting specific. Jaime Rosso used the word “collaboration” hundreds of times during the campaign, so I’m not sure why he felt that he couldn’t collaborate with Bundros. Rosso will vote with his heart. Midtgaard may start out being the darling of fellow district insiders but the parent constituency who voted her into office is rightfully wary of the seal of approval bestowed upon her by the old guard. Bress will be quiet and thoughtful, and bring up the kind of salient points concerning academics that made Bundros so “popular” with his fellow trustees. Bundros will remain committed to convincing his fellow trustees that Gilroy kids deserve the same quality of public education kids receive in Los Gatos and Cupertino.
Some trustees are content playing by rules which have produced too many losses. We shall have to wait and see what kind of season is in store for the new team.
