My name is Judy Holman, and I’m a 15-year resident of Falcon School District. For eight of those years, I served the community as a school board member. Lately, I’ve been receiving telephone calls from other community members who are questioning and concerned about the board’s decisions and public statements and actions. This disturbs me. Then, when I read the unflattering and sometimes silly Gazette articles about District 49, I’m outraged.District 49 is a great school district and, with the right leadership, it will become the best district in the state. Unlike those of other local districts currently held in very high esteem, the District 49 community is a rich cross-section of vocations, ethnicity, cultures and income levels. Our diversity compared to other districts in the county is truly remarkable. Our parents value education and support their children’s schools and teachers. Our teachers are enthusiastic and committed and smart. We have great teachers in District 49!Our principals are proven leaders, committed to high standards and expert educators themselves. Our administrators support the schools in every way possible, from providing a quality continuing education and training program for all licensed staff; guiding the development of quality curriculum; staying abreast of and meeting board, state and federal requirements; and ensuring that tax dollars are spent prudently and appropriately; buildings are built; and the other support operations function smoothly and efficiently.Our superintendent, Dr. Hull, is exceptional in so many ways. He is a proven leader – both in education and in the military. He has integrity, meaning he lives up to the standards of his profession and position, and he is trustworthy, even when no one is watching. Being a man of character, he has the ability to follow through with his commitments, goals and dreams long after the ‘honeymoon’ period is over, and he is a person of vision, and, thankfully, he plays by the rules. This district is so blessed to have an educational leader of Dr. Hull’s caliber.Why am I telling you all this when this is something that you should already know? I’m concerned that this district has been sent back to the starting line – again. Micro-management and personal agendas will, without a doubt, undermine the positive work and legacy built by the boards and administrations that came before you.As a school board member, you have a very difficult job. But, it can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. I recommend that you learn all you can from our excellent and professional staff. This means you have to be teachable. Build a functional team with the other board members and with your CEO – the superintendent. Be a good listener. Let the professionals do their jobs and trust the superintendent to oversee and run the schools and supervise the staff. It’s his area of expertise, not yours.I encourage you to make it your business to focus on the big picture. By doing this, you’ll be better prepared and equipped to make decisions that are in the best interest of the district as a whole. I realize that each family and taxpayer in the district have issues and concerns that are unique to them, and for that matter, each board member has his or her own favorite issues and concerns. But as a board member, your primary responsibility must be what is best for all District 49 students. That means you must know all the facts and refuse to capitulate to or represent special interest groups. And as a reminder, a special interest group could be many different things: a business interest, like a land development company; a political group; one family; one teacher; yourself.Our community has a lot invested in this school district. Many people have invested time by participating on BAACs, PTAs, PTOs and booster clubs and by sitting on district committees. Many citizens who have served on the school board in the past invested their reputations, integrity and loyalty in this school district. And, most important, every parent who has ever enrolled their children in a District 49 school invested trust.As a board member, you should understand the obligation to respect and protect the investment our community has made in District 49. And you won’t be able to do this well unless you love Falcon School District 49 in its entirety – the students, the parents, the teachers, the principals, the support staff, the administration, the old buildings, the new buildings, the traditions and attributes that make this district unique. I do – more than I can adequately communicate. My friends, there is a quiet majority in the District 49 community that loves this district. Some of us are old-timers, and some have lived here less than 10 years. We are watching you, and, so far, we don’t like how you’ve been treating our district.Judy HolmanFormer D 49 board member
