There's a bit of good news to report on Saturday regarding the progress of The Kansas City, Missouri School District. While I remain (and always will be) skeptical it would be foolhardy not to recognize some real changes on the way.
There was a delay this week but in the days to come The School Board will be involved in some major policy changes as part of a 30-60-90 day plan laid out by School Board President Airick L. West's incoming slate.
The most impressive aspect of the plan has been the work undertaken by new School Board Member Crispin Rea. He is leading the reforms in the conflict of interest and disclosure (i.e. ethics) policy.
Before, ethics policy for the board hadn't really been defined and was ALMOST NEVER enforced but this policy reform that Crispin is working on goes into great detail to define misconduct and take steps to correct it. Some of the policies are already in existence but the effort at overhaul marks an increased awareness of ethics policies at the KCMSD and seems to be an attempt to challenge the widespread perception that the institution is crooked.
As far as enforcement goes, all of the usual steps regarding censure and the ability to report to the Missouri Ethics Commission are pretty standard . . . But Rea, West and Co. seem to be so serious about the reforms that they're working on a clause wherein violations could also be reported to the Missouri Attorney General.
Of course, there is opposition to this ethics reform move and it's coming from the Marilyn Simmons Bloc. There was supposed to be a vote on these policy changes last week but it was delayed. During the discussion Sub-District Five representative Ray Wilson called ethics reform "grand standing." Also, former Board President Marilyn Simmons and local lawyer Arthur Benson seem to be forming a coalition against the new Airick West slate.
Nevertheless, Crispin's Ethics work along with other measures related to code of conduct and community engagement policies represent some real progress toward "policy governance" championed by School Board President Airick L. West and not just the same old petty bickering which has marked the District for so long.
Developing . . .
Good for him.
ReplyDeletestrangely upbeat.
ReplyDeleteI really like Crispin Rea's efforts so far!
ReplyDeleteI really like Crispin Rea's efforts so far!
ReplyDeleteI'd jump him!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
ReplyDeleteWe have to hope his ethics reform goes farther than Garza-Ruiz's or Jason Kander.
ReplyDeleteI really think Kander made it worse by introducing something when the chambers were populated by cave men and women.
Very Sad!
Make this all public and the real leaders on the east side will emerge. My question is how much Arthur Benson has made in real dollars? Legal fees in his pocket verses district progress? Cant wait for the audit. Go Dr. Covington and board. Travesty comes to mind and citizens should know.
ReplyDeleteI bet all the gay guys and many of the hetero women would jump him in a heartbeat. Unless he's a complete crook, he's in for LIFE! Yum yum!
ReplyDeleteNot a crook. But u r gross. It's not all about ass.
ReplyDeletePublic notice of all school district contracts would be a great start.Its not hard to find the conflicts of interest. They are glaring and previous school boards should be shamed. Good luck Dr. Civington and new board.
ReplyDeleteIf we did something like 7:33 proposes, how could Crispan throw unbid contracts to his political consultant named Kim Carlos? I mean that just cannot happen.
ReplyDelete