Don’t redact
When the Abbotsford and Colby school boards got together last month to discuss the next steps in exploring a possible consolidation, one of the first things that was promised was transparency. Officials from both districts want the greatest amount of public input possible, and to get that, they know they need to let the community know what is happening at every step of the process.
Unfortunately, on Monday night, the Colby School Board strayed from the path of openness when it agreed to redact the names of people who are interested in serving on a consolidation study team. The board wants to be able solicit applicants and go through their names confidentially so no one’s feelings get hurt if they don’t get picked.
We’re sorry, but this is not how public service works, even on a purely volunteer level. If you want to put your name out there as someone to consider for the consolidation study team — a group that will be working on a topic of great public interest — you need to accept that your name might appear in print. That applies to everyone who raises their hand to participate, even those who aren’t chosen for a spot on the team.
More importantly, elected officials on the Colby School Board should be more accustomed to making tough decisions that sometimes ruffle feathers. This type of courage has been lacking at times during the debate over masks, vaccinations and other COVID-related topics. It seems as though some board members would rather remain friends with every last one of their constituents than risk upsetting someone.
Again, this is not how public service works. As someone elected to make decisions, you have to be willing to take stands even if it means stepping on toes. Choosing a limited number of members for a consolidation team will inevitably leave some people without a seat, but that shouldn’t be kept secret from the public. The names of everyone who applies for the study group should be available to the public at the same time they are shown to board members. If someone wanted to put in a good word for a particular applicant — or maybe even an objection — how would they know if the names are all blacked out?
When we asked if the names would be subject to an open records request, superintendent Steve Kolden rightfully said they would be. However, he said the names would not be released until after the board had made its decision on who should be on the team. This defeats the whole purpose of trying to ensure transparency throughout the study team process. The Abbotsford School Board added no such caveat to their selection process, and we think theirs will be the better for it.
And, to be sure, this is not the only time a school board must select among multiple applicants seeking the same position. This happens anytime someone resigns their seat early and leaves a vacancy to be filled. Unless the board waits until the next election, the members normally solicit names of people who are interested in serving on the board. Those names are always made public, and the selection process is done in the open.
In fact, elections themselves are highly publicized contests between multiple people seeking the same job. Just to get your name on the ballot, you need to go around and get signatures from neighbors. It can be can be an intimidating and humbling experience, especially if you struggle to get enough signatures or you end up with the fewest number of votes. But that’s democracy; there are winners and losers.
Compared to the election process, trying to get on the consolidation study group should be a relative cake walk. All you have to do is submit a one-page letter of interest and hope that what you write appeals to enough board members. We encourage anyone who is interested in the consolidation idea to throw their name in the hat. We also urge the Colby School Board to make those names public before the team members are chosen.
The Tribune-Phonograph editorial board consists of publisher Kris O’Leary and editor Kevin O’Brien
