That elevated engagement generally is a blessing and a curse, mentioned Dan White, chair of the varsity board in Prior Lake-Savage Space Colleges. White has served on the board on and off for the reason that early Nineteen Nineties and sees the previous couple of years as the start of a brand new, and extra fraught, period for varsity board members. Districts are burdened by looming budgeting and staffing challenges, all whereas making an attempt to satisfy the tutorial and psychological well being wants of scholars post-pandemic.
“There’s a lot that’s out of our palms that boards are compelled to be reactionary, making it onerous to do the common work of the board,” he mentioned, including that persona and partisan conflicts solely add to the issue.
Although they usually vote towards one another, on one level, Rebelein and fellow Forest Lake faculty board members Gail Theisen and Jill Christenson agree: The varsity board is extra partisan than they ever bear in mind.
“There’s no R or D behind your title, however that’s how individuals see it,” Christenson mentioned. “It’s possibly naive to say when every part is politicized, however that’s not the way it must be.”
Theisen mentioned she’s heard from mother and father that fear partisan-fueled coverage debates are an train in creating options which are on the lookout for issues. That creates a distraction from the true challenges the district faces, she mentioned. Christenson agreed.
“What frustrates me is that we have to get again to what’s vital — our funds, hiring and retaining good academics, supporting our administration and employees,” she mentioned. “As an alternative, we’re splinting our district with distraction.”
