Submitted by KM Hills.
I saw signs all over Lakewood a month or so ago about “Leadership That Listens.” However, my experience has been quite the opposite and the recent mascot change at Clover Park High School is the latest example of how leadership does NOT listen.
If leadership was listening, they would not have waited until the last possible minute to notify the Lakewood community about this issue. House Bill 1356 was aproved last spring and the Puyallup Tribe shared their response in July. Why has the District not had the community involed since then? I find it very odd that the District waited to release this information until after the Nov. Board meeting and only wants public input via an online survey so the decision can be finalized before the Dec. Board meeting public comment session.
I personally left two voicemails for Kevin Ikeda, the District staff member in charge of this change, and have yet to receive a call back. I also reached out to the Puyallup Tribe and got several email responses. In the last the Puyallup Tribe staff stated other than their July response to HB 1356 they “The Tribe works with 12 local school district and simply cannot be immediately involved in all of their respective processes” which makes me question if their was any direct contact with regard to the Warrior mascot change.
As I noted above, this is NOT leadership that listens and I strongly believe it is leadership that already made a decision. They are only providing “lip service” as I read another Suburban Times reader mention in his comments on this topic.
I, for one, am glad there will some change on the Board come January and believe there needs to be more. Some board members have been seated too long to still hear.
Hey, I’ve used this article name before.
^_^
But I really do think that the people in this district are using this to “set the example” like they did with the equity policy. Or they want funding.
All this and more under the “leadership” (i.e. dictatorship) of soon to be gone and irrelevant Board President Marty Schafer. Schafer has a tendency to act unilaterally in contravention of the Board’s own policy and Washington RCWs. In addition to the mascot change, Schafer unilaterally eliminated in person attendance at future Board meetings after Schafer is gone (so Board members can more effectively use the mute button). Now Board members don’t have to face the public that elected them. Schafer imposed onerous limitations on the swearing in ceremony (6 people only) of his replacement Board member, David Anderson, on what should be a community celebration event. These are part of the deaf (not deft) legacy Schafer leaves in his wake. Now we learn that Schafer has wormed his way into Clover Park School District as a member of an associated non-profit. Some people just can’t let go can they?
How about some positive comments about the Clover Park School District for this holiday season? My son went to Cover Park Schools. There are some great educators in this district who genuinely care about the students and work very hard to give them a well balanced education despite the many challenges presented to the educators which, I can tell you, happens in all school districts. The negative comments are non-productive. Let’s move forward looking at what the educators and support staff have accomplished.
Anecdotal stories about some success or outstanding teacher or student does not address the critical problems the District faces academically.
The sudden change by Board Director Marty Schafer in the format of the December 13 School Board Meeting from in-person to virtual for unknown reasons has caused a great deal of confusion. The meeting announcement on the Clover Park website does not include information about if or how public comment will be allowed. At 1:30 on Friday I left voice mail on the designated phone number of the superintendent’s office inquiring about the “if and how” of public comment and left my phone number for the response that was offered on the recording. There was no response by the end of the business day. I then sent an inquiry by email to Mr. Schafer who replied that public comments will be allowed. He said, “In the Zoom format, you will be given an opportunity to sign up while online and then given access to speak when it is your turn to address the Board.” For anyone who is not familiar with the procedure regulations for public comment at the School Board meetings, they have been included in the agenda for the meeting which is elsewhere on the website.
Marty Schafer did not “ worm” his way onto the non- profit organization. He has been on it since it began several years ago. I thought the editor said “ enough” to slander.
Marcy,
Most frequent readers of the Suburban Times recognize the names of these negative posters and who and what they represent. Making truthful comments is not their top concern.
Marty Schafer has served our schools and students with dignity, integrity, nonpartisan leadership, smart business sense and a deep caring for all of our students and families. He never claimed to be perfect, nor should I expect that of anyone. As a teacher, parent and long-time Lakewood resident, I thank him!
RCW 43.160.040
Conflicts of interest—Code of ethics.
In addition to other applicable provisions of law pertaining to conflicts of interest of public officials, no board member, appointive or otherwise, may participate in any decision on any board contract in which the board member has any interests, direct or indirect, with any firm, partnership, corporation, or association which would be the recipient of any aid under this chapter. In any instance where the participation occurs, the board shall void the transaction, and the involved member shall be subject to whatever further sanctions may be provided by law. The board shall frame and adopt a code of ethics for its members, which shall be designed to protect the state and its citizens from any unethical conduct by the board.
[ 1982 1st ex.s. c 40 § 4.]
KM Mills …as much time as you spent mentioning it …you do understand that a commitment to ‘listening’ to the community does not meaning doing what KM Mills or a minority wants – right?
As far board service and term that too is decided on the regular by the majority of voters, and the same with votes for levies and bonds.
You can and you should express your views and opinions, and I applaud your activism, but you have a equal responsibly to recognize when you and others are the of the minority opinion, and that doesn’t mean you’re not listened to… also not getting your minority-way is not a kin to not listening. It’s called listening to the majority of the community, aka democracy…
Maybe you are the one ignoring or not listening to the community’s majority voice … including on the school board leadership and from the voters of the community.
Mr. Russell-
You and I have talked in person, over the phone and via email exchange. You my friend, have listened. As for the topic of this discussion I see the majority, given the responses to the several letters published by the Suburban Times, as wanting to keep the Warrior name. The point of my letter was to express the lack of community input allowed, given how long the District knew this name change was coming. Even when a community member reaches out to the District there is no response and to me that is not listening. How can one listen if they never engage?
I’m wondering if KM Mills has a child currently in the district, since they did not mention any ties other than being upset their mascot is changing.