Column: The latest school board meeting shows how tone-deaf it has become

By Dan Kontos

First of all, to all of you fist biters that have already become triggered at the mere sight of another of my columns, take a breath, pop your prescribed medication, and then come back from your safe spaces. I’ll be here waiting.

There, do you feel better? I hope so. Take it easy, this column is not about forcing our kids to wear masks in our schools. I already gave you the science on that. This is about the latest actions by the Stevens Point Area School District Board, and what they are doing to an otherwise supportive public.

Like it or not, times have been tough for the Board. There is no denying that. With the constant bombardment of fear porn over the coronavirus and the near panic-laden drive to do something, anything that has gripped all too many, it’s no wonder that this has found its way into our School Board. After all, they are human as well.

Human, yes, but humans who have been hired to oversee one of the largest school districts in the state, and one of the most important institutions in our community. We trust them with our children and rely on them to help set the tenor for our local slice of society here in central Wisconsin.

That is why their latest Board meeting distresses me so. I believe that in their quest to deal with the tribulations of life that we find ourselves in today, coupled with their earnest desire to return to some semblance of normalcy, they have tried to shut out as much “noise” as they can. In so doing, they have become tone-deaf to the citizens who elected them.

At the September 13 meeting of the Board, intended or not, the disrespect shown to the citizens who tend to bring that disconcerting noise to their world was made quite evident. Whether it was their intention or not, once again, the members of the school Board made it quite clear, through their actions, that they are not interested in hearing what many of their fellow citizens have to say.

Let’s look at the perception, in an effort to understand the frustration, and possibly correct this trajectory, one way or another.

Regarding this meeting, the format was unexpectedly changed right before the legal posting from an in-person meeting, which they had been previously doing, to an all-virtual meeting. Ostensibly this was done to mitigate risks due to COVID, or some such reason.

The perception was that the meeting was changed because of the risk of having a large number of parents and other citizens come to the meeting and being allowed to speak—which is a policy of the Board. I wonder if the entire Board voted to suspend this policy, and if so, when?

As the meeting was all virtual, the public could watch via a selectively managed and focused rebroadcast of the television screen on display at the Bliss Center, not by any public access to the actual meeting platform itself. During this YouTube transmission, staff could be seen in the Board room, all together, and not in a virtual setting. The perception of many is that the COVID fears were a pretext for this secluded format. Rumor has it that perhaps up to three Board members were in the building at the time, just in separate rooms. You know how rumors are.

The meeting excluded live comments from the public, and only included written messages that were favorable to the discissions that the District had already made. This option was open to everyone, but there was no announcement of this on the meeting notice. You only knew this if you selected the detailed agenda option on the SPAPSD website, and not the simple agenda which is displayed by default. 

The short time allotted for these comments before the Sunday cutoff only exacerbated this problem. Despite normally being able to speak on agenda items 1, 9, and 14, and specifically item 5(B)(4) “Beginning of School Year 2021-22 Update” regarding their concerns over masks, the Board was seen as having none of it. The perception was that the Board did not want to hear from the rabble who dare dissent. Again, I wonder if the entire Board voted to do this, and if so, when?

As the public gathered at Bliss to show the Board their dissatisfaction, they were not allowed into the building. Instead, they were loaned a few laptop computers from which to watch the rebroadcast meeting, while they stood in the rain. The perception was that these citizens were unworthy to be properly treated, that that the technically minimal accommodation was good enough for the likes of them.

At this same meeting, after emerging from a closed session, with little notice in the agenda beyond the arguably technical bare minimum legal requirement, it was announced that Superintendent Craig Gerlach was retiring and that Assistant Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner had been chosen to replace him. While to some of us, this inside information was not a surprise, but to others, it was beyond mere serendipity. The perception was…well…let’s just say the optics were not good.

Now, the sewer of social media has taken these announcements, tied them into the Board’s perceived actions, and have begun to sully the reputation of these two individuals. This is unrelated and unfortunate collateral damage, so please stop. Both of these professionals are honorable and very well qualified. You may disagree with some of the decisions made in the past (I do), but your complaints, if any, should be directed at your elected representatives.

These perceptions, justified or not, are very real to many. They are also amplified by a recent announcement by the District Attorney that the Board had once again violated Wisconsin’s open meeting law, which they also did back in 2015. Now, at least 16 new open meeting complaints have been filed with Mr. Molepske’s office, according to sources.

I had warned the Board previously about the impending public backlash that was approaching, but apparently, that warning went unheeded. Now a recall effort is underway, as dissatisfied citizens race to collect enough signatures by November 2nd to trigger a special election. They believe the Board is not listening, and they feel disrespected; a bad combination.

If I may offer a helpful suggestion? The School Board should hold a special meeting as a sort of listening session, in a large venue, such as in the auditorium of Ben Franklin. This has been done in the past for a variety of issues. Let the people speak and have their three minutes each, and really listen to their thoughts. These are the same people who previously and overwhelmingly supported the District in the last pair of referenda. You own them at least this.

Let them gather. Don’t poke your virtual finger in their eyes by making them wear masks if they don’t want to. The perception will be that you are looking for an excuse for some not to attend. Just let them exercise their freedom of speech, their right to peaceably assemble, and their right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Sound familiar?

Be ready for a long night, but that is what you signed up for, right? Being elected comes with great responsibilities. Just like being a voter comes with the responsibility of being an informed elector, and knowing that those elections indeed do have consequences.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. I’ll see you at the polls in April, and maybe at a special recall election before that. Either way, best of luck.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, unafraid, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, God bless.

Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting. 

Interested in becoming a columnist for the Metro Wire? Email [email protected].