Editor: I could not believe what I witnessed the night of September 23, at the Jefferson School District board meeting. This was a special meeting called for the sole purpose of looking at and making recommendations for budget adjustments specifically allocating surplus funds that have arisen from lowballing budget projections. At this meeting it was moved to hand each school as well as other departments a sum of money to simply do with what they wanted. The reason stated for this decision was that the majority of the board members did not feel that they were "micromanagers" and that it was not THEIR place to tell the individual school administrations how to best spend the funds whose source and rightful ownership is that of the district residents. I would ask then whose place it is to speak on behalf of us whose money is being used to fund our schools and their programs. Have these board members forgotten that their purpose for sitting on this board is solely as an elected official representing the people who put them in office? It would seem so based on the facial and bodily expressions suggesting that any differing opinions were a waste of their time. I recall these same board members in the past stating that this was not their money to spend and as such they had to be responsible money managers. I do not consider the decision made at this meeting to be responsible money management. It seems more like an irresponsible, laissez-faire attitude.
I would also respectfully caution the residents of the district and other concerned parents that we are being taken advantage of by our own non-participation at these meetings and in this process. If no one is there to state their opposition, support, and/or opinions to the proposals presented then these officials can do whatever they want to do. There are many options available for getting involved. If you can’t attend the meetings then let the board know that you want other options such as web casts and online feedback to be made available. The agendas are always available on the web site at www.jeffersonschooldistrict.com so that everyone can know what topics will be up for discussion and/or action at each meeting. We can also call the district office and be in touch with our school site administrations so that they know what we the people want for our children, our schools, and our money.
Additionally, I urge the Tracy Press to remember that there are school districts within their subscriber base other than Tracy Unified. More coverage of the very newsworthy goings on at our school board meetings would be of great interest to subscribing residents of this district. Such coverage might motivate residents to become more involved themselves.
Lastly, you may not know that our school board has an election this November. I encourage us all to please vote but not just vote – vote wisely! A big thanks to the Tracy Press for encouraging wise voting by hosting election forums in our city. Specifically thanks to the Press for including our district candidates in the upcoming forums. This is an excellent opportunity to become more informed of our choices for representation. The school board candidate forum is scheduled for Monday, October 4th from 7 to 9 p.m. at Poet Christian School, 1701 S. Central Avenue.
Anne Wells, Tracy