Working Together to Make School Policy Right

At the SVSB regular meeting on Feb. 13, something happened that hasn't, as far as I can recall, since I've been on the board: we voted down a recommended policy change.

It involved In the overall scheme of things, the change was well-intended and relatively minor, however, I felt it needed to be modified to be more palatable to my constituents. So, I voted 'no.'

The issue is that I, as new board vice-president, didn't know that four of my other board members also were going to vote 'no'.

Usually, our administration has the opportunity to make modifications to agenda items BEFORE meetings, when the president or I suspect that an issue doesn't have adequate board support.

That's our job.

Unfortunately, I failed to get that message to the administration, possibly creating the impression that they're out of touch with the needs and desires of the board and community.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Our superindendent, Dr. Tracy Vitale, is extremely approachable and willing to adapt policies to board concerns, as is every other member of our administrative team.

My job, as an elected community representative, is to make sure they know the sensitivities and expectations of the tax-paying community.

So, I feel I owe Dr. Vitale and her team a public apology for a failure on my part to properly inform her team of the board's concern.

Also, I would like to reassure the residents of that we ARE working hard, together, to get the right policies in place.

I promise to use this as a learning experience and continue moving forward in the best interests of the taxpayers and the district.

Eric Gordon
Board Vice President - Seneca Valley School District