HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_09_09 Board Minutes
Board Meeting
9/9/20
I wanted to address the board as I’m looking for clarity on the strategic approach the board is going to take when
determining the safety of our kids as we move through the different stages during this pandemic.
Based on this strategy, how will it protect the district and the board from a potential lawsuit? Idaho just passed
legislation to protect against Covid related lawsuits, but not if reckless misconduct occurs. D91 can’t afford frivolous
lawsuits.
When watching back the August 12th meeting, it appears that either there was a predetermined strategy to change our
opening plan or the new plan was created on a whim which tossed out months of due diligence with the public and
health experts. That last minute change, put fuel on the fire and widened a rift already growing. Either-way, it does not
appear that the board used logic or had strategy when making these changes. I’m not looking to revisit the decision
from that meeting as we are where we are. This is about the strategic approach moving forward.
A school board may be different from a board for a business, but from my experience a board is created to provide
guidance and strategy for the entity it represents. The board is not expected to be experts in every field (though
businesses typically have people on the board to represent specific areas). In our case, I am not aware of anyone here
being health experts, and that is OK. Though based on that, who are you using for a resource? What industry expert or
professional are you consulting with?
Too much of what we are dealing with right now has become polarized. It’s a “you’re with us or against us” attitude.
You see that in our local Facebook groups pitting each other against ourselves. We are getting our information from
mainstream media, social media, and many other sources, both informed and uninformed - sources that have their own
agenda. From one end stating this fake to the other end of spectrum where people want to live in a plastic bubble. I am
hoping the board is not listening to those resources and applying their personal opinions. Instead, I’m hoping you are
listening to the experts, consuming data, then formalizing a plan.
I look at it like a structural issue at the school. If the gym has a roof that is about break, do you look to Facebook, a
general business owner in town, or a random parent for the best avenue to fix it? Or do you find an expert in
construction that will tell you the best way to approach the problem?
The virus is no different, except you can’t see it so it’s not as tangible. On top of that, there are many people that are
pushing for kids not to get tested. They are concerned how it will impact sports. They are intentionally downplaying it.
If you don’t get tested, how can you have good data to form proper strategies? Data is king. I’ve been in the operation
side of business my entire career. Bad data = bad results. With limited testing, we reduce the tangibility of it.
I would think people would prefer to have every kid to get tested on a team every day. That way you can isolate the
potential problem and keep things moving. But by hiding it, you compound a bad situation. That kind of approach will
ripple through the schools causing more issues. Hiding a problem never solves it. I hope the board is vocal on
supporting testing as that will provide D91 with the information to make informed decisions vs leveraging personal
opinions.
To be transparent, I want my kids in schools. As an aging athlete, I fully support sports and the benefits they bring the
kids and the community. I just want the approach to be thoughtful and founded in logic. But that is just my opinion.
Just another random parent, not a health expert.
Not relying on this random parent, what is the strategy for D91? Strategy to move through phases, quarantining,
shutting down, open back up? Can you publish it? What are the triggers? Who are you using as experts and resources?
Granted, as with any good plan - it will change – it SHOULD change as you get new information. But as of today, what is
the plan? If it’s shared and has merit, it can provide something for this community to get behind to support the district
and the board. It help close the rift and bring the district back together.