Oxford’s board of education is one member shy following last week’s resignation of Trustee Major Murray.
He doesn’t wish to become a ‘controversial figure? or cast the school district in a negative light, but he’s ‘frustrated? with the current balance of power between the board of education and administration.
‘I have a different opinion of what a board should be doing,? said Murray, who resigned effective June 19. ‘My view is the board should set the agenda of the meetings, determine the criteria by which the administration’s success will be determined and then assess performance (based on) that criteria.?
However, Murray, who was appointed in December 2006 and elected in May 2007, believes a ‘majority? of the board ‘feels that the board’s job is to approve what the administration does.?
‘The administration is setting the agenda and the board is acquiescing,? he said. ‘I saw the board reverse itself on two items within a year just because one superintendent put it one way and then another superintendent put it another way.?
Murray said his resignation shouldn’t be a surprise to ‘anybody who’s been to the board meetings or who watches them on TV.?
‘All you have to do is count up the votes since I’ve been on there,? he said. ‘If there’s a dissenting opinion, it’s mine.?
But Murray stressed that he doesn’t wish for his comments to be perceived as an attack on his fellow board members. He noted that Trustee Doug Myer is a good friend, President Colleen Schultz is easy to get along with and he purchased his house from Trustee Pam Phelps, who’s a real estate agent.
Murray also doesn’t want his remarks misconstrued as a lack of support for Superintendent Dr. William Skilling and his plans. ‘I think Dr. Skilling is a very good man and I think he had very good ideas,? he said. ‘I think he has endless energy and boundless perseverance. Much more than I do. I could not do his job.?
In fact, the two board decisions that Murray was proudest to be part of were Skilling’s ideas ? eliminating pay-to-play in sports and lowering the ticket prices for families attending athletic events.
‘Getting rid of that pay-to-play was huge,? he said. ‘That was a real indicator that the school and the community are together ? that the school’s not there to fleece more money out of the community.?
Skilling is ‘absolutely, 100 percent? trying to do what he believes is the right thing, in Murray’s opinion.
But Murray believes Skilling needs a ‘stong counterweight? because ‘the goodness of his goals? should not negate the need for real discussion and debate before plans are implemented.
Unfortunately, the board is not providing ‘an effective counterweight? in terms of ‘deliberation,? Murray said.
Instead of weighing the pros and cons of different options, the board consistently defers to the administration and provides an ‘affirmation? of their goals and plans, according to Murray.
‘It’s probably as much personality as anything and I acknowledge that,? he admitted. ‘That’s just two different guys doing things differently.?
Another factor that led to Murray’s resignation was the extension of his term.
When he was elected in May 2007, he was supposed to serve until June 2008, but the moving of school elections to November extended his term until Dec. 31.
‘I didn’t want to serve six more months than I was elected for,? he said. ‘I fulfilled my obligation.?
Murray’s seat will be up for election in November.
School Board President Colleen Schultz said Murray’s resignation came as a surprise to her at first, but it made sense when she thought about it.
‘I know he’s been having a really difficult time trying to juggle work and meetings,? she said. ‘He had been having a hard time making it to some of the meetings.?
Looking back over Murray’s performance on the school board, Schultz had nothing but praise for him.
‘I think he was a good school board member,? she said. ‘I think he took his job very seriously. I think he came very well-prepared to the meetings. He asked some good questions, some difficult questions.?
Schultz said Murray, who lives in Brandon Township, never let his own opinions or personal feelings get in the way or overshadow of his responsibilities as a trustee.
‘We didn’t always agree, but once the board voted, he was a total team player and supported the board whether he was in favor of the decision or not,? she said.
Now begins the search for someone to fill the remainder of Murray’s term.
State law requires school board vacancies to be filled within 30 days of the resignation’s effective date.
In order to be considered, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a registered voter and a resident of the Oxford Area Community School District.
The district encompasses 96 square miles and includes all of Oxford Township, most of Addison and portions of Brandon, Metamora, Dryden and Hadley townships.
Those interested in applying for the open seat must submit a letter of intent to Superintendent Dr. William Skilling by 3 p.m. Monday, July 7. (See public notice to the left).
From this pool of applicants, the school board will select candidates to be publicly interviewed during a special meeting 7 p.m. Monday, July 14 at the Board of Education Offices (105 Pontiac St.).
The board expects to appoint someone at this meeting.