Better for school board to shape up than resign

When an "outsider" echoes the suggestion that some local print media and many residents in the school district have forwarded in the past few weeks regarding the St. Charles school board, one would think board members would take notice.

Dawn Miller, a representative of the Illinois Association of School Boards, told board members they all should consider resigning their positions if they continue the infighting and blame game that has marred their actions.

Miller took that shot at the board much in the same manner a teacher threatens unruly students in a classroom -- because that's exactly how the board members were acting Tuesday night during what was supposed to be a training session for board protocol and to ensure a smooth transition for new Superintendent Donald Schlomann.

The board, which caused a major ruckus by illegally approving former Superintendent Barbara Erwin's last contract in a closed meeting, had its dirty laundry aired in the form of arguments and accusations during this training session, which was open to the public for the first time.

It is difficult to gauge how serious Miller was in contemplating that possibly seven other district residents who cared about the students could replace the current board, but there is no doubt that what she said carries troubling implications.

If enough people continue to call for the heads of school board members on silver platters, the district residents may eventually find themselves with exactly that dilemma. When Chris Hansen, a board member with 10 years of experience, turned in a letter of resignation the following day, it left many wondering if it was the start of a major overhaul.

We don't believe that kind of overhaul is necessary or beneficial at this time. That is why we've taken a more tempered and, we hope, common sense approach to this virtually ongoing and traditional problem known as the St. Charles school board.

If clearing out a sitting board would actually solve anything, we'd consider it a viable alternative. However, the steps that would have to be taken with replacement searches -- conducted by whom if the entire board were to resign at once? -- and appointments would be a major distraction in its own right.

In fact, it would not be fair to view Hansen's resignation as some type of cure-all, or even beneficial to the board. To single him out as a major problem just because he has chosen to step down and allow new blood on board would be not only unfair but inaccurate.

We have to remember that we are not saddled with ignorant or crooked elected officials. These are residents of the district, not unlike so many others, who unfortunately have failed to work as a unit or find common ground on issues that scream for compromise and cooler heads. Remaining board members must find a way to cool down and compromise.

Schlomann was clearly in damage control after what resembled a "therapy" session of sorts for the board members, who let their feelings -- good, bad or indifferent -- known about each other and their image in the community.

He believes that the board has no choice but to move forward in a more professional and civic manner by working in smaller committees and taking heed of advice passed along by Miller.

Count us among those who are weary of the petty foolishness on display too often. We also clearly side with those who demand a more open and focused board. We're not on the list looking for a complete overhaul or eager to see who will resign next, but we will not be afraid to call out board members whose behavior and actions are counterproductive to the goal of providing the best education possible in District 303.