School board sending wrong message (03/09/07)

To the editor:

The Jay School Board has sent a sad and disheartening message to this community. According to the board's attorney, the board is under no legal obligation to allow any member of the public to speak at a board meeting. I wonder about the board's moral and ethical obligations to the taxpayers who voted them into office.

I would think the questions and concerns of a parent would be a top priority for the board. For that matter, it seems to be that any member of the public, whether or not theyhave children in the local school system, should feel free to meet with the board to discuss any school-related issues. After attending the most recent meeting of the board, however, I'm left with the feeling that unless I have something positive to say, I might as well keep my concerns to myself.

I was shocked and appalled at the board's treatment of Elizabeth Nesbitt, who approached the board with an offer of open communication regarding problems and issues she's encountered with the local school system. Communication was obviously not on the board's agenda Feb. 26.

I understand the importance of adhering to an agenda. I acknowledge that the public comment portion of the board's agenda did include a request to keep comments to three minutes. However, I think serious public concerns should allow for exceptions to this request. Obviously, the school board doesn't agree. Elizabeth was denied extra time. And when she tried to clarify the procedure for getting on a future agenda, she was totally shut out. Not a single board member asked a single question regarding her concerns. In the end, she was ignored.

In the days following the board meeting, I've been further dismayed and frustrated by comments I've heard from some members of the community. Elizabeth dared to ask to be heard. She dared to look for answers. She dared to seek open discussion. But many people can't get past the idea that she didn't follow the rules. They ask why she didn't follow proper procedures. I can't figure out why more people aren't asking about what she wanted to say the night of the board meeting. Why doesn't anyone want to know the details about the very serious issues she wanted to bring before the board?

Doesn't anyone wonder why the board didn't want her to speak at a public meeting?

Is discussion so very dangerous that it has become necessary to slam the door on all efforts at conversation? Is it more constructive to stifle communication or to openly address the problems in our school system?

I hope the board's behavior doesn't make us all feel powerless in our quest for a better education system. I hope parents feel encouraged by Elizabeth Nesbitt's willingness to stand before the board and refuse to be stifled. We do have a voice on school issues. And if a school board meeting isn't a proper forum for discussing these issues, I'd like to hear about alternatives. It's all about communication.

Ultimately, we are all on the same side. We simply want what's best for our children and our community.

Chris Harris

Redkey

Service?

To the editor:

I'm 77-years-old and a taxpaying resident of Jay County.

When I needed a transfer from Jay County Hospital to Ball Memorial Hospital after 6 p.m. last Tuesday evening, my family was informed that Jay County paramedics don't work after 6 p.m. Wow, dangerous time.

I was left to find a private ambulance service to transfer me to Ball Memorial's ICU.

My thanks goes to the Blackford County Emergency Medical Service, to Dr. Mark Haggenjos, and to my care-giving family, Zina Beth and Loren M. Spahr, and those who cared for me while at Jay County Hospital.

Is it because of underpaid workers? Does Jay County lose money caring for their very own taxpaying residents? What's the problem?

I'm thinking if whoever is responsible for this situation had a loved one who needed this help, they might show more concern and this would not happen again.

From someone who cares what's happening to others that deserve the best.

Sincerely,

Florence A. Gooding

Portland

(Editor's note: An official from Jay Emergency Medical Service said that one paramedic was on duty after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and that guidelines did not allow JEMS to make the transfer).[[In-content Ad]]