Since the Basin Elementary Board of Trustees voted to go non-operational on June 17, many of the board meetings, in my view, have been driven more by rumor, social media commentary, and remarks from former employees than by fact. After returning from medical leave, having previously only participated via Zoom, I was uncertain what to expect at the August board meeting.
To help provide clarity, I prepared a statement addressing some concerns and accusations directed at the board in the hope of putting an end to false claims and misinformation. To my relief, that meeting went relatively well.
By contrast, the Sept. 3 board meeting was markedly different. I entered with optimism, but that outlook quickly disappeared within minutes. A key difference was the absence of media. When a local reporter is present with their camera, there is generally more professionalism and maturity among some community members. Without that presence, however, meetings too often become dominated not by constructive dialogue, but by repeated verbal attacks, criticism, harassment and disorder directed at the board and the Superintendent.
