Wow! I was stunned when I read the pre-announcement of a communications director for the school district in the paper (complete with candidate's name) before it had gone to the board for approval. This circumventing of protocol by district leaders suggests an administration trying to protect their own interests before the trustees (divided on this matter) even have an opportunity for discussion.
The job post/description of this controversial position was never advertised in the paper. There is an opening now for a software developer for the school district in the paper. Why is one type of job posted publicly, and another not? Yes, better communication is needed. But openness and transparency as a cultural change for our district is necessary rather than a $78,000-plus-benefits public relations patch.
The district should do the work recommended in the recent communications audit, not just grab the last suggestion therein and throw money at their larger cultural flaw. Committees should be entirely open to the public and not hand picked by the superintendent to ensure a predetermined outcome. Consideration should be given first and foremost to the needs of our students before more money is thrown at building the bulwarks of the administration ($78,000 equals two new teachers). The trustees should call out the administration for trying to force their hand through use of the news media. I urge the board not to approve this hire at the February meeting.
Leslie Dilley
Hailey
