David Cort addresses the audience Thursday at the Ozark Library.
OZARK, MO— Ozark Schools Support Team (OSST), an independent concerned citizens group, wants Ozark R-VI to leave MSBA so citizens can have greater input in the district.
Speaking to more than 20 citizens gathered Thursday evening at the Ozark Library were David Cort, Wade Wheeler, Jodi Pena, and Frank Downey.
“You’re supposed to govern your school locally,” Cort told the audience, pointing out that most school districts, including Ozark, are members of the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) which uses identical policies for all district members in the state.
“MSBA policies may not reflect the values of our community,” Cort warned, but added the Ozark school board should seek representatives of all avenues of thought in our community. “We aren’t totalitarian. We welcome all opinions and ideas.”
MSBA shouldn’t call the shots
However, though all ideas and opinions are welcome, the Ozark school district would be much better served by the voices of the local patrons, not the state, Cort explained. He pointed out pros and cons of MSBA membership: including training, legal counsel, policy development, superintendent search, website support, and associate member access.
“Every benefit the school board derives from MSBA membership is also an OBSTACLE to community governance of our school district,” Cort stated in a power point slide.
“When we depend on the MSBA to do our work for us, we become dependent on the MSBA. They do the work and control the direction of the district.”
Issues with current superintendent situation
The school superintendent is supposed to serve the school board, who is elected by the public. Instead, the superintendent position, under the influence of the MSBA, has morphed into the superintendent positioning self as an unelected “equal” on the school board; the superintendent previews and performs censorship of tax paying citizens e-mails intended for school board members; and the superintendent limits independent interaction of board members with their constituents.
A power trip and censorship by an educated highly-paid superintendent who remains a barrier between elected people and the people who elected them.
School Board responsibilities
Wade Wheeler (pictured above) spoke about the school board responsibilities. He talked about the following:
The school board is supposed to enforce board policies that gives direction to the superintendent/administration and staff; and supervise and investigate complaints filed regarding: superintendent, faculty and staff, and policies and procedures.
The board should also create policies to direct operation of the district in a manner that reflects desires, needs and values of district taxpayers, listen to desires of taxpayers and govern the superintendent and administration for enforcing district policies and views of the board and electing community.
The superintendent would find running the district much easier without board members and leave the taxpoyers out!
The school board has morphed into:
Treating the superintendent as an equal member of the board; viewing their positions as part of the SUPERINTENDENT’S governing team. “The board is actually supposed to govern the superintendent, not vice versa.”
The board is also discouraged from meeting with or communicating with constituents.
They have the false notion the school attorney and superintendent are in charge over the taxpaying citizens who voted for them!
FALSE…BZZZT….WRONG!
If not closely monitored by board and community…the superintendent may allow or perform:
“Woke” infiltration and agenda, which do NOT come from our community or board members!
Frank Downey
Action steps and other points of interest
Meeting Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
For those who missed the Thursday meeting, another duplicate OSST meeting is taking place at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 19 at the Ozark Library community room. The public is encouraged to attend. Seating is limited. Arrive early.
