[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Too Close to the Problem

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Speed Gibson:
Too Close to the Problem
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1210969315.shtml


   One of the outcomes of the District 281 Strategic Planning process was
   the recommendation for a "Citizens Financial Advisory Commission."
   Superintendent Mack eagerly presented a set of By-Laws for such a
   group, adapted from another school district. The approach illustrates
   how we can sometimes be too close to a problem.
   As I drove home, I saw a great example of this, a personal pet peeve
   of mine. Approaching some construction that closed one lane, I first
   saw the usual "ROAD WORK AHEAD" sign. A few hundred feet later came
   the "RIGHT LANE CLOSED" sign. I'm sure the road crews mean well and
   think this is a natural progression of information. They're wrong.
   They're too close to the problem.
   The "ROAD WORK AHEAD" sign is useless. You see the orange diamond in
   the distance and know from that alone that yes, there is road work
   ahead. But you can't pick a lane or a detour until you get close
   enough to read the next sign. They should have put a "RIGHT LANE
   CLOSED" sign up front, saving the need for a second sign and giving
   the driver the necessary time to switch lanes accordingly. This is
   something a "drivers advisory committee" could spot, as the
   transportation folks continue to miss it.
   Here, the Superintendent assumes such a committee will best function
   as a direct adjunct to the district staff. I disagree. He's too close
   to the problems, whatever they may ultimately be. And the proposed
   committee would be too close to him, to wit:

     [Article IV.A] Members shall be appointed [...] through Board
     appointment. [...] The Superintendent or designee will provide a
     list of recommended candidates to the Board. [...]

   The roster per Article IV.B is:
    1. Board Treasurer (Committee Chair)
    2. Board Representative
    3. Superintendent
    4. Director of Finance
    5. Assistant Superintendent or [designate] to represent Human
       Resources
    6. Five Citizens who have a background in Finance

   It's five top level staff including the Superintendent vs five
   citizens, picked by the Superintendent remember. It is chaired by
   staff, with agendas and materials provided by the staff. The citizens
   are way over-matched, no matter their qualifications. Resistance is
   futile. They will be assimilated into the Borg.
   Having been part of the Visioning subgroup that identified this
   concept, I can state that independent assessment was the goal, which I
   believe our working papers made clear. That means the citizens have to
   run it. It also begs the question of who should appoint the citizens,
   the seven cities perhaps.
   As it happens, the District is getting some new financial analysis
   software soon that will facilitate comparisons with other districts
   and general norms. The Superintendent is eager to get started using it
   which may explain the haste to create and desire to control the group.
   We sorted this out a bit at the "Strategic Planning Report and Next
   Steps" meeting last night and will get another look at Monday night's
   Board meetings.