A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
The Regular School Board Meeting for the School Board of Broward County is in session. The Honorable Board Chair Torey Alston presiding.
I had a flashback for a moment and remembered one of America’s first ‘rap’ songs recorded by Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham. That famous verse was “Here comes the judge, here comes the judge everybody knows that I am the judge.” Now, we all know that school board members are not acting in the roll of judicial prudence ; however, it sure sounded good.
That is how I felt last week watching the Board Workshop and Meeting with Torey Alston executing as Board Chair. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought Alston had been there before. Well, he has. Sorta. He participated as a Student Advisor and his impression then to now has only gotten better.
The order of business is conducted in a courteous, respectful manner and moves along without the drama we have watched in utter disbelief just a few short weeks ago. Shockingly, Board member Debbie Hixson admitted from the dais that she “finally understands her role as a Board member”. While this is a refreshing epiphany, it begs the questions, “holy smoke Batman”, what the heck did she think her role was over the last two years and what exactly was she doing and not doing as it relates to her misunderstanding? Humm, inquiring minds wanna know? It is scary that that was her reality and even scarier that she so nonchalantly espoused it publicly. The greater question is will Hixson, now that she supposedly understands her
role, continue some of the behaviors that are below the line of her authority like carrying the water of the Broward Teachers Union when its president calls her, emails her directly or copies her on emails defaming and attacking district staff and school principals?
Interestingly, Alston demonstrates a very charismatic leadership style that is calming to others even during dissent. There always seemed to be this war brewing between and among bargaining unit groups, public speakers, and Board members. While it is still very early, there was a sense that uncouth behavior is not going to be tolerated because a tone of decency is quickly being set. Cartwright, in her usual form, will take credit and say it’s because of her civility policy.
Speaking of the Super, Cartwright seemed less tense and more confident in answering to the Board, though I received a half dozen correspondences hinting that she is being less than truthful about what is happening. What is abundantly clear is she has no cover. Two weeks ago, she could blame a dysfunctional Blind 9 Board, but not anymore. An old boxing adage says, “duck or bleed”.
Like the old Board, this new Board is clear that they do not want to micromanage the superintendent, about her hiring of executive leadership staff. There was a resounding dissenting opinion from two very vocal speakers regarding the hiring of two positions: Executive Director of ESE and Chief Facilities Officer. The challenges were around the Super not following process as outlined in policy which has been a prevailing theme with Cartwright since she has become permanent superintendent.
Daniel Foganholi, appointed Board member for District 5 was very vocal on this issue and quite a few others, asserting that the superintendent has the right to select her executive staff. Foganholi surprisingly has found his voice since four other men joined him on the Board. Prior to their arrival, he treaded a very careful line, never breaking rank with the women. His newfound voice and presence reminds me of Old Mister from the Color Purple who proclaimed, “the dead has arisen” when Sophia (Oprah Winfrey) suddenly found her lost voice and began her laughter at the dinner table. Foganholi stated that if the Board interferes in the selection of the Super’s team, then it is not her team, and they cannot hold her accountable for decisions and mistakes. But Cartwright will take the credit for anything that makes her look good, whether she hired them or not.
It is true that any CEO should be able to hire their team. But, the position of Nathalie Lynch Walsh, Chair of the Facilities Task Force and Jacquelin Luscombe, Chair of the District ESE Advisory, is not about Super Cartwright’s ability to choose, but her disregard for following policy that specifically gives voice to the community in the process. They contend that her actions speak clearly that she does not value the community. These two women, among others, give freely of their time chairing various task forces for the district. According to them, Cartwright has been less than gracious or appreciative of their time and commitment to the work, but rather has been dismissive and seems annoyed by their presence.
Lynch Walsh also had a warning for the new Board, and she used excerpts from the Grand Jury report to drive it home. The Grand Jury Report paints a dismal picture of colossal mistakes the former Board made in allowing then Superintendent Robert Runcie to hire Derek Messier and Leo Bobadillo, both as Chief of Facilities. The Grand Jury Report did not take the same position of Foganholi and others. In fact, the report outlines that the Board had a duty to not approve the two Chief Facilities hires because of the numerous red flags that were presented to them about the candidates’ lack of experience and grave mistakes made in other school districts around construction projects. The Grand Jury did not consider it as operating below the line when the Board can justify good cause to not approve the Superintendent’s recommended candidates and further detailed that they had a responsibility to do so. According to Lynch Walsh and Luscombe, not following policy is good cause even though Luscombe agreed that the policy was outdated and could use some revision. But Lynch Walsh argued you cannot pick and choose what policies to follow just because you think they are outdated or lack relevance. Having the discretion to pick and choose is a recipe for misuse and abuse of power and would most likely result in another Grand Jury investigation in a series of them in Broward.
Cartwright told the Board she believes there are several policies that need revisiting and revising, and she has charged her two deputies to evaluate all policies under their units that need revision and begin bringing them forward. I understand the statement among others was a big Pinocchio.
What I know is this. Mr. Alston and his four musketeers have gotten off to an impressive start bringing about a level of professionalism to the business side of Broward schools. For what it’s all worth, let’s see how it plays out. He and his fellow four appointee brothers don’t have much time. November will be here before you know it. Frighteningly, no matter how it shakes out in those runoff races, no combination of those candidates will effectively replace what is currently in play. Some think this new Board is simply putting lipstick on a pig, but my gut is what we are seeing is far from what we will eventually get. I will keep watching and reporting.
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