BUDGET HEARING MINUTES ON THINGS TO CUT:

My minutes of the KISD Board's Budget Hearing on June 8, 2011

I'm thinking I don't recall very many "Budget Hearings" in the Katy Independent School District over the years.  In fact, I think this is the very first one I ever attended,  Often, as a school board member, I pointed out that OTHER school districts in Texas had budget hearings where the public was allowed to attend, and these meetings were held many times between January 1 and when the budget is passed. 

I have made note of the fact that it was called "Board Training" and not a "Budget Hearing." Since I was there, I don't think I noticed any "training" that occurred.

In KISD, the practice has been to hold meetings with no more than three board members so that it was not considered a board "meeting."  I was a special case; I always got to meet with just the administrators and the board president!

So last night's meeting was of particular interest to me. As it turned out, this meeting had already been held once, and this was a re-run, put on for the benefit of the new board members, I guess.

While sitting there for two hours, what I saw was what appeared to be a genuine interest by everyone at the dais in finding suitable things to cut if they had to do so.  All board members asked questions seeking information. 

After enduring two hours of questions and answers, the superintendent dropped in and saved the day by announcing cavalierly that it turns out the District may not be losing that much money and may not need more cuts!

If that's the case, I suggest the fired teachers be re-hired into their old positions, complete with the same benefits, and that the District stop holding meetings that waste everyone's time!

The exercise of looking at waste in the District could be a good one, if there is follow-up.  That should be the job of the central administrators.  I highly recommend that activity over going to Austin to dine with each other under the guise of having "staff meetings."

On another note, I have to admit that I may not have ever been to a board meeting since Alton Frailey became our superintendent.  So my question, does he always mumble like he did at this meeting?  How does anyone hear what he is saying? Isn't "leadership" supposed to be one of his fortes? How does one "lead" if no one can  understand what one is saying? I also noticed that the "state of the art" sound system that you and I paid for isn't very good!  I know that it's been replaced more than once over the years.  When Bill Moore was speaking, his microphone had to be propped up because it was falling down and away from him! 

 And yes, one might think I'm the pot calling the kettle black on the issue of mumbling.  If I had one person suggest (anonymously) that I sign up for Toastmasters, I had ten!  The anonymous letters (and thank goodness not everyone had email in those days) were always polite and respectful--people were just trying to help.  I got a couple from someone who recommended a course for me to take on public speaking!  I know I'm not a public speaker, but then I didn't sign up for a job as superintendent either!  I got my points across through my writing, then as now. Don't think Mr. Frailey has that option.