Board, Community, and Staff Relations

By Cindi Arthur

The past several months have seen more controversy in the Huntington Beach Union High School District than usual. More often than not the issues creating the controversy have been budgetary in nature and have become personal. Others are personal from the beginning and escalate. Decisions made regarding personnel, facilities and open enrollment have created dissatisfaction and hostility with the very people the Board serves.

Repairing the relationship between the district and community is vital. It is necessary for the Board, all district staff, students, parents and our communities to feel we are all working together toward the same goal. Initial steps to be taken should include; community meetings where thoughts and ideas can be exchanged, open scrutiny of the budget and a more readable format for clearer understanding is essential. Budget workshops where board members, staff, students and community leaders can learn and ask questions together. Parents, students and community need to understand the role of the board and administration and be aware of what laws govern their actions. Everyone, board members included, must understand the duties of the administration and when not to step over that line. We must all have a knowledge of what constitutes public information and what does not. Our communities should always be asked for their input and they in turn should require and expect results from their elected officials. We must all be willing to work hard together for the success of our students, realizing total agreement may not always be possible. With good people, the right attitudes, confidence, tolerance and when necessary, a little compromise we can acheive it all.