D-26 Board President Responds to Petition

Cary Board of Education president Chris Spoerl provides his initial thoughts about the petition started by the D-26 Parents with a Voice.

1. Firstly, have you seen the petition? (Aug. 31, 2011)

Chris Spoerl: I just became aware of the petition the group D26 Parents with a Voice put together.  

2. If so, What are you initial thoughts of the No confidence petition? and do you think the petition has any validity?

Chris Spoerl: My initial thoughts on it are that I strongly disagree with the underlying reasons for the petition as they outlined it.  

More specifically point by point:

1. The group's leaders are basing their opinion of negotiating in good faith solely on what they've seen in public, and have no knowledge of what has occurred behind closed doors.  

We are very comfortable that the Board has negotiated in good faith.

2. The Board put together the Target 26 plan that generally addresses the return of specials and class sizes, and has specifically said that the details can only become available once the CEA contract situation is resolved.  

Because the contract represents such a large portion of the budget, it is impossible to project out several years with any accuracy unless it is settled.

3. Chris Spoerl: The Board is comfortable with how it has worked with its policies:

a. The policy on the meritorious budget format was actually put in place by a prior Board.  

While the format is nice, it will not result in any cost savings.  

In fact, it will require significant additional administrative resource to both develop and maintain.  

Chris Spoerl: The Board is looking for ways to streamline administration, not add to it.  Administrative staffing has been reduced over the last three years, during which time administrative pay has been frozen.

b. School bus leases are specifically exempted from the bidding process per policy 4:60-4(4).  More to the point, quotes were obtained per the same policy, and the contract was awarded to the current vendor at significant savings.

c. The plan of refinancing was presented to the public not only at the Board meetings, but also the numerous community meetings the administration conducted, as well as to the press.  

The refinancing and the referendum were both part of the same plan.  

The approval of the referendum also was the approval of the refinancing.

Nevertheless, overall, the refinancing of the bonds actually resulted in a lower rate on average.


Chris Spoerl: While the D26 PWAV group seems to strongly disagree with the Board's direction, we are encouraged by the calls and emails of support we're getting from the community.