Kaneland parent calls for more courtesy from board
By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News March 6, 2013 2:18PM
Updated: April 8, 2013 7:45AM
A Kaneland parent is urging School Board members to be more polite to one another.
Parent Leigh Ann Reusche said differences of opinion among School Board members is a healthy part of governing, so long as the discussion is done respectfully.
“What appalled me was how board members treated each other,” Reusche said.
Reusche addressed the Kaneland School Board this week about her observations of the board’s Feb. 25 meeting, when a 6-1 vote was made to approve a pay raise for Superintendent Jeff Schuler.
Reusche was appointed last fall as the only community representative on a district task force to address bullying issues among students.
A group of parents had made five recommendations that included making bullying prevention a priority, forming a task force involving all stakeholders, and adopting a district-wide plan.
Reusche told board members she was further disappointed to hear her daughter return from school and mention overhearing a conversation about the conduct at the Feb. 25 meeting.
“My message to you is: Fix it,” she told the School Board.
She also recommended the board review the Illinois Association of School Board’s “code of conduct” statement for elected officials.
“I have heard stories over the past six months about bullying at different levels,” the parent said. “I was appalled to see (the dialogue) reach that level at a public meeting in our school district.”
