School board rustee ineffective at his job

Being elected to serve the community as a school board member requires significant responsibility which precludes totally personal agendas.

The role entails educating oneself on school law, as well as the impending decisions, recommendations and issues.

It means working collaboratively with other board members and district staffs in an endeavor to best meet the needs of all district students. It invites positive involvement and behavior which exemplifies role modeling for the community and students as they observe local government in action.

I continue to be appalled and disappointed at the behavior of Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education member Michael Dunn. Since his election he appears to have detached himself from the rest of the board and the total process.

I have observed him during meetings saying little or nothing, not even making a motion or seconding one.

His preferred communication channels seem to be the local newspapers, where he attacks fellow board members and discounts the expertise, experience and data presented by district and school staff members and research committees. Might he not consider that he was a minority and that the other board members did, indeed, represent a majority?

Certainly, differences of opinion are healthy and positive when dealt with openly and ethically. It appears that other board members strive to do so. Mr. Dunn’s uncommunicative, undermining, negative approach cannot help but hinder process, morale and progress, as well as producing frustration on the part of the board and district and schools site staffs.

In a recent letter, he seems to boast that he is a maverick on the board—all well and good, except that again is self-serving and shows an inability, or at least a choice, not to interact with his peers to reach consensus regarding what is best for students.

And his way is not always the only way.

Our community and schools deserve better than his style. Mr. Dunn has been elected to a two-year term. I would hope that there are individuals out there who have the greater good of the community at heart, are willing to be open and honest with fellow board members and who will consider running in the next election.

It’s vital to remember that the best interests of all our students and families should be the focus, and this school district deserves board members who are willing to work cooperatively to achieve this goal. Skip Shaver Thousand Oaks