Heat but no light at School Board meeting

The Sept. 8 Cheney School Board meeting had some heat.

Public comments were heard and limited to the opening minutes. These comments may be delivered in person or emailed prior to the meeting.

An angry parent at the meeting complained about the education being delivered. He had a variety of complaints. But what stuck with me was his need to hire a tutor for his second-grade child to insure she could read.

At a digital meeting last October, a parent submitted a question wondering what the district planned to do for students falling behind. The question was not answered at that meeting.

When asked about it, the response was that the district doesn’t answer questions about individual students. Perhaps they don’t recognize the plurals.

However, the answer became obvious two weeks later when the board announced a new committee to study how it would help students who fell behind. Perhaps the outcome of this committee was the recommendation that parents hire tutors.

Back to the Sept. 8 meeting... A presentation about teachers training by a program by Solution Tree titled, “Boulders, Rocks, Butterflies.” Teachers got group photos, T-shirts and made posters. They reportedly had a wonderful time and learned a lot.

Since there is no state testing, it is difficult to gauge if this will make a difference.

A report on salary increases and gender equity followed. After each report the board president asks it there are any questions. This is directed School Board members (who never have any questions). It is not a courtesy extended to the community?

The gentleman, who made a comment earlier tried to ask something, did not know the rules. A lively discussion ensued with the board threatening him with being “removed.” This was the humorous portion, since one of the items, on the agenda, was the hiring of a new security officer.

Anyone want to bet how speedily that is done, now?

A number of years ago, I attended a meeting where the board was addressed by an EWU professor. She asked what was going on in Cheney schools.

Incoming students from Cheney required remedial classes. They were unprepared for college. That was before COVID-19. Taxpayers funded new schools and salary increases. What for?

So far, the most successful thing Cheney School Board has done is to remove some graduation requirements so more “kiddos” can graduate.

Is that the ultimate goal? Head ‘em up; move ‘em out?

Susan Johns

Cheney