Got Eggtooth?

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'Tis the season for school board elections, and that makes the timing right to discuss board member characteristics.

The problem with many local elected officials  is how they operate once they are in the high chairs facing the cameras.  This phenomenon is even more prominent with school board members.  Often referred to as "drinking the Kool-Aid", what it really amounts to is an inability to truly speak one's mind.

Once they leave their board chair and the board table, most board members will display a very different attitude--and commentary--regarding agenda items.

What is an eggtooth?

"In some egg-laying animals, the egg tooth is a small, sharp, cranial protuberance used by offspring to break or tear through the egg's surface during hatching. It is present in most birds and reptiles. "
---Wikipedia

 Many local elected officials would seem to be lacking an eggtooth.  Instead of yearning to break free and emerge from their shell, they seem to prefer the peaceful, risk-free existence inside their shell.  Instead of vocalizing their concerns regarding the agenda du jour [gratuitous use of French language] publicly, they opt to either speak up only behind closed doors, or not at all, reserving their true feelings/concerns for those people in their "inner circle"--or once they get to the local pub post-meeting.

Sadly, what the community really needs is to hear what these folks truly have on their minds.  School district administration will only change when forced to do so.  Unfortunately, that, at least in Sun Prairie, means throwing decorum to the wind and speaking candidly.  One can speak their mind openly yet still be respectful; so why don't our elected leaders do so?

Getting to "No" You
What makes a board member who is deeply troubled by, or has significant questions regarding,  a particular issue suddenly vote in the affirmative at the board table?  Is it the fear of going against the district administration's wishes?  The fear of public reprisal for their position?  Fear of reprisal from employers?
It's almost as if board members suddenly lose their innate ability to say, "No".

We'd be rich for every time we've heard elected leaders support something at the table and then trash it privately afterward.  OK....perhaps "trash" is a little too powerful a term.  But you get the point.  Here's a great example....remember when Creekside was going to be built and the land was "donated" to the district. The board stood up there and talked about what a great location it was.   What a crock of you know what! There isn't a single board member that believes that Creekside was built in the best location.  It was built where it was because the land was free, dammit. But do you think a board member would ever say such a thing publicly?  Hell no!  Three years have gone by and Creekside has less kids than the two SAGE schools,  has several classrooms yet to be christened with kidlets, while Horizon and Eastside are splitting at their respective seams.

School board members alike smile and say "Yes", despite inner gnawing conflict, for the sake of decorum.

The Devilish Diva Decorum and Dr. Seuss
Desiring decorum is often akin to desiring world peace.  It's a lofty goal, but it's just not realistic.  People always seem to get in the way.  Disagreement is that which makes us human and keeps us from being a planet of clones.  We don't have to agree with every position or idea that comes before us, but we need to be able to speak our mind.  We'd argue that half of the world's problems would be solved if people would simply be more direct in their communication.  We have become a nation of world class beat-around-the bush-ers.  No wonder why the nation is becoming obese with all the sugar coating going on.

de·co·rum  (d-kôrm, -kr-)

n.

1. Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

So?  Why does everyone shrink away from issues out of fear of breaking decorum?  One can behave appropriately and still call out things that need to be called out...right?  So what don't people (red: board members) do so?  Decorum has become the boogeyman of local politics.  Gee...if I question the school district administration on this issue, one of the City bigwigs may not want to rub elbows with me at the upcoming shindig.  Boo frickin' hoo!  If said "bigwigs" are such small people that they do not want decisions made based on facts, then let 'em drink alone.

Dr . Seuss was so right when he wrote, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."   Actually, there is disagreement regarding whether or not Seuss ever wrote that.  But you know what?  Who cares!  We love it.  And it fits.

STOP THE MADNESS!
Have YOU used your eggtooth today?