D214 board should value the lone voice

I shall vote for Ms. Pinney for the District 214 School Board when the time comes to vote. Let me tell you why.

Some years ago, I was responsible for leading a group that met weekly to discuss goals and the carrying out of those goals. There was one woman who frequently questioned proposals. She often disagreed with the rest of the group.

It was annoying to me, yet I came to value her greatly. She had a different philosophy, a different concept of how things ought to work, and I always tried to give her opinion serious consideration. Even when the rest of us ended up disagreeing with her, our plans were more effective for having been challenged and thus thought through more carefully.

Sure it was uncomfortable for the majority, but minority voices make for better government, for better decisions. When the entire group is all of a single philosophy and no one raises questions, the body will likely fail to consider legitimate alternatives.

As a result, I think organizations and boards can be more effective if ideas are challenged. While I understand that the District 214 board is doing a good job, I am disappointed in the board's dislike for being challenged.

I shall vote for Ms. Pinney based on the fact that she challenges the board to consider alternative, to consider a philosophy with which the others might feel uncomfortable. Of course, if the other board members dismiss her ideas without even giving her serious consideration, then they have failed at some level. A body is always more effective for being challenged to see another position.

Louis Bowers

Mount Prospect