The Strategic Plan

"It's time for the new strategic plan." No seven words evince more fear and loathing in the veteran school board member than that one short sentence. And if they don't, you're doing it wrong.

Every five to seven years, a school district will need to create a plan for the future encompassing items such as curriculum, facilities, staffing, and finances. The buzzword of the day will be "sustainable" - but that's a canard. The school district is never going out of business.

As a five-term school board member, I participated to varying degrees in three strategic plans. And let me be clear - I observed people with earnest intentions trying to steer the district in the direction they wanted it to go. I refrain from labeling their intentions as "good" because their intentions were never the same as mine.

If you are a conservative school board member attempting to represent - in the case of a town like Hillsborough - the views of at least half of the residents, you will be thwarted. The education establishment has many ways to stop you - here are a few:

• Public Input via Email - The superintendent will solicit input from the public in an attempt to learn what their priorities are. The "public" who submit their ideas will consist overwhelmingly of teachers and other school employees.
• Public Forums - The board will hold several public forums and workshops. These will be attended largely by teachers, et. al. (see above).
• Board Members Roundtable  - The superintendent may suggest principals, supervisors, high-level administrators, and board members break into groups to discuss priorities. Board members will be outnumbered three to one in each group.

As the Hillsborough school district works through its strategic plan this year, pay attention to what you are hearing. Will there be even one item that might satisfy a traditional/conservative constituent? 

Not if they can help it.