Mailbag: 4/18/09 - Baraboo News Republic

CFFR seeks honesty, accountability

The Baraboo Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility (CFFR) mission statement reads: CFFR is a diverse group of Baraboo School District residents concerned about the education of our children and the future of our educational system. Through open discussion, healthy debate, and problem solving, CFFR demands honesty and accountability from the Board of Education, administration, and teachers regarding academic and fiscal responsibility.

Apparently, a nerve was struck recently with school board vice-president Judd Maxwell's e-mail to fellow board member Ed Mortimer to the point of Christina Beam defending Maxwell in a recent opinion column.

Clearly, Beam did not contact me about Maxwell's e-mail or my letter to the Mailbag. Had she done so, she would have found that an open records request for a copy of the e-mail had been fulfilled by the administration. She also would have found that Maxwell himself provided me a copy of his e-mail later in the day the open records request was satisfied. One would think a former BNR education reporter would have done at least a little digging before calling a community member "a talking head" who does someone else's "dirty work." Personally, I didn't picture myself as the "party boss" of an "ad hoc political party." I don't even like to get dirty. But, that's Beam's opinion and she's entitled to it. I don't engage in personal attacks. Never have. Just logical conclusions based on facts and documentation and let the chips fall where they may.

Does the community's right to know where the largest part of their property tax bills go exceed a school district's "right" to hinder the pursuit of truth or obscure complete facts? I hope not, and the Wisconsin Public Records Law Wis. Stat. §19.31-19.39 says it doesn't. The Superintendent's Advisory Committee is a great opportunity to move forward from the past, as long as our schools change noticeably for the better as a result. We must press forward. Our kids deserve no less than our best efforts.

Open records, open communication, and board actions that represent a cross-section of our community are all that we, as a community, seek. These are neither lofty nor unachievable expectations. After all, the last time I checked, we are supposed to have a representative democracy. For some, apparently it's too much to ask to look past personal agendas or to avoid becoming a passive groupthink participant hopelessly wanting to fit in.

CFFR will continue its work of expanding communication lines with the school board, administration and staff, and will not relent in holding them accountable for student safety and academic performance, as well as a healthy return on the community's investment in our kids.

For detailed information about CFFR, visit www.baraboocffr.com. If you would like to help, just give me a call. The majority is no longer silent and we are making a positive difference.

John Meegan, president, Baraboo CFFR