Monday, December 6, 2010
School Directors present: Susan Guthrie, Gary Friedlander, Lisa Pliskin, Diane DiBonnaventuro, David Ebby, Lyn Kugel, Virginia Pollard, Jerry Novick, Melissa Gilbert
Audience: About 15 people.
This meeting consisted of:
- Election of temporary president
- Election of School Board President and Vice President
Nominations for School Board President:
Diane DiBonnaventuro nominates David Ebby: Appreciates his leadership in the year just past, challenging year
Jerry Novick nominates Susan Guthrie: She has the skills need for resource management in Act 1 environment. Transparency is necessary.
Gary Friedlander: At last year's meeting he remember's David Ebby's supporters saying that president's term should be a 1 year term.
Lisa Pliskin: [listing Guthrie's strong points] Transparency, inclusion, commitment, breadth of knowledge
Diane DiBonnaventuro: At last year's reorganization meeting no one spoke about a 1-year presidency. Remembers that Gary siad that 1-year presidency was not the best thing. Diane thinks a 2-year rotating presidency might be the best thing.
Virginia Pollard: New to the board, watched Ebby lead in challenging times
Melissa Gilbert: Same voting as last year, will vote for most qualified person for the jon: Ebby
Votes for Guthrie: Guthrie, Pliskin, Novick, Friedlander
Votes for Ebby: DiBonnaventuro, Ebby, Gilbert, Pollard, Kugel
David Ebby wins 5-4
Nominations for Vice President:
David Ebby nominates Lyn Kugel
Susan Guthrie nominates Lisa Pliskin
Votes for Pliskin: Guthrie, Pliskin, Novick, Friedlander
Votes for Kugel: DiBonnaventuro, Ebby, Gilbert, Pollard, Kugel
Lyn Kugel wins 5-4
Promotion of high school gym dedication event:
Doug Young: Dedication of the Kobe Bryant LM High School Gym will beon Dec 16th, 6pm reception, 7 pm dedication. Music, student bands, surprise guests. Proceeds benefit Educational Foundation of Lower Merion. For tickets go to www.lmsd.org
2 comments:
There was some disagreement during the meeting about words spoken during the last re-org meeting. Gary stated that last year Diane spoke against re-electing a president for more than one term. Diane stated that that was not true.
I just watched the meeting, and here was what was said:
-Susan Guthrie: Change for the sake of change is not good. The leader should be thoughtfully selected each year. Said that certain board members advocated for a 1 year term limits. Spoke at great length about other districts. Voted for Ebby.
-Gary Friedlander: Spoke about open communication and being inclusive. Also said that some board members took the position that the president should only serve one year. Voted for Lisa Pliskin.
-Melissa Gilbert: no comments, voted for David Ebby
-Jerry Novick: commended Lisa’s service, spoke about a discussion of rotating the board leadership. voted for Lisa Pliskin
-Lyn Kugel: no comments, voted for David Ebby
-Lisa Pliskin: said cannot change leadership for change’s sake, voted for Lisa Pliskin
-Linda Doucette-Ashman: no comments, voted for David Ebby
-David Ebby: no comments, voted for David Ebby
-Diane diBonaventura: no comments, voted for David Ebby
So even though Diane was technically right, 4 of 9 board members clearly had the impression that some people wanted to make the presidency a 1 year position.
I don't think Susan voted for Ebby last year. Didn't she vote for Pliskin?
In fact look at that: The same four people in the same unsuccessful voting block last year: Pliskin, Guthrie, Friedlander and Novick. Does that mean anything?
I'm not sure why there's so much discussion about the merits of a 1-year presidency between the block of 4 and the others, but then when it comes time to vote for a VP the same 4-5 votes line up on each side. The public discussion about a 1-year term may be a red herring.
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