Dear editor:

I have almost completed four years on the Niles Community School board.  It’s been a very interesting time and a great personal honor for me.  In fact, it was far more interesting than I could ever imagine when I ran in 2007.
In the past four years, the board tackled some controversial issues and hired Richard Weigel. The board privatized busing in 2008 and closed Eastside last year. Those decisions were difficult, and I stand by both of them. If either decision offended you seriously enough, I would expect that you would not vote for me on May 3.

I certainly would understand such a protest vote.

On the other hand, a year ago the board hired Richard Weigel. In my opinion, he’s a dynamic, hard-working superintendent. I think the future of Niles’ schools looks very bright.

There is a wide range of opinions concerning what a school board should do and what should be the relationship of the board to the school administration. Some boards become dysfunctional because operating styles of board members and superintendents clash. That hasn’t happened in Niles. For that, we should be very thankful. When boards and superintendents harmoniously operate together, everybody benefits.

In the past four years, I’ve learned a lot about the function of school boards. I think the school board should be a sounding board for the administration. Even though we are not educators, the board’s members bring considerable personal experience doing a wide variety of tasks to the task of leading the school district. Some people think that the board should have only the needs of the students in mind when deciding school issues.

The needs of students should be foremost, but other considerations should also be considered in school board decisions.  For instance, board deliberations about financial issues should consider the ability of Niles citizens to support schools.

The last two millage votes were the principal reasons why I ran for the school board in 2007.  I think the school board is part of a team with the administration, but there should also be a small separation between the administration and the board. Board members should be skeptical, always asking questions, always testing the arguments on both sides of every issue. In the final analysis, there is a very good reason why school boards are elected in Michigan. You get the final say.

I hope I’ve represented you well since 2007. I would like the opportunity to represent you for another four years.

Michael L. Waldron
Niles