School boards are the poor cousins City overstates Braun’s impact

Dear editor: I read with interest Moyra Baxter's (chair of the Central Okanagan Board of Education) letter to the editor (Herald, May 14).

She was responding to a recent editorial that suggested people such as school trustees do not hold elected positions in perpetuity and should “move to a higher level”.

As a former city councillor and school trustee I may be forgiven for my views on this matter, as I disagree strongly with Baxter's premise. City councils are definitely higher on the political pecking order, whichever way you cut it.

They formulate budgets, decide on tax rates, address complex land issues and are directly accountable to the public. School boards on the other hand are virtual token positions where trustees get elected in a large part by acclamation or by name recognition, but seldom on the basis of a stellar performance.

Increasingly, boards provincially are controlled by superintendents and secretary treasurers who have managed to usurp what little power trustees had left and alone deal with hirings, firings, promotions and school programming.

No one disputes that “helping all students be successful” is a most important goal but since school boards became the lapdogs of the provincial government in the 1990s, little in the way of accomplishments can be attributed to the trustees themselves.

With little direct budget responsibilities, zero negotiation involvement with local teachers and acting out their role as the local defenders of Victoria's edicts, trustees play a minor role in the overall education picture.

As to “moving up,” I am sure Ms. Baxter has served in her minor education role very well but the public at large is becoming weary of elected officials who drag out their tenure. Newly elected officials tend to have the biggest impact but after years of warming the chair they tend to become complacent and dare I say somewhat dependent on the remuneration, big-city conferences and their own perceived importance.

So there does come a time when it is best for all to move on, failing that just look at Nova Scotia where the provincial government decided to eliminate trustees all together and replace them with a regional governance model. Is there a message here? David Perry

Penticton Dear editor: City manager Peter Weeber says he is not “targeting” Mr. Braun specifically. Then why has this gone to court.

Mr, Braun has not displayed “nefarious” acts. He in fact collects his belongings when leaving his spot “from” one of the businesses.

How can “one” person sitting (not blocking traffic) affect tourism? The only blocking happening is the many people who stop and chat with Mr. Braun. He has a baseball cap to collect money He can actually be quite funny He smiles and says “hi” To the people who stop by He is quiet and polite And is ready for this fight Try to “think” before you judge him Let him know he's worth the skin he's in. Elizabeth Mandelin

Penticton