Joan Patterson’s time on the Clarkston Board of Education is at an end, but she’s not done trying to make a difference in education.
“I can be more effective on the outside than inside,” said Patterson, who posted her resignation from the school board, April 13. “I’d like to spearhead an initiative to continue the discussion in an open forum.”
She hopes to get other citizens interested in digging into school improvement issues.
“Step up, ask the tough questions, and understand the issues,” she said. “This is extremely important ? how do we do a better job to care for our kids with the money we have.”
Patterson plans to continue her series of coffee chats on education issues, which she began earlier this year after meeting with state and federal representatives about education issues.
“The big thing is, we have a lot great ideas. Implementing them is a struggle,” she said. “I’m proud of the way we pressed for transparency, accountability, and fairness to all sides. The key is, we need to have honest information make the best decisions.”
Unfettered, open dialogue by school board members in schools, through The Clarkston News, and in the community is important, she said.
“I would talk to teachers, students, staff and residents about how they see things,” she said. “I appreciated the opportunity. That was fun. Now, I see that going away.”
Issues leading to her resignation stem from changes to the school board after last November’s election.
Board President Rosalie Lieblang was voted out, replaced by new Trustee Kelli Horst, and long-time Trustee Steve Hyer was elected by the board to be the new president.
A new question-and-answer procedure is in effect. Board members’ questions for speakers and presenters are directed to the president, who collects and presents them to the subject.
Patterson said the procedure limits communication.
“I don’t see a way for me to have a two-way conversation,” she said. “I’m getting the message they want me to hear, then expected to vote on it.”
Hyer said the procedure is based on recommendations by Michigan Association of School Board consultant Mary Kerwin.
“It prevents board members from badgering the presenter or the presenter from feeling they are under fire or interrogation,” Hyer said. “These are behaviors we have eliminated with this new protocol.”
Meetings would get contentious in the past because everything was brought forward for dialogue, Patterson said.
“It’s not always pretty,” she said.
The re-evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock in January was another reason to resign, she said.
“We spent a lot of time to go through the process and develop the evaluation tool, just to have it discounted,” she said. “I saw the writing on the wall. No matter the process, if it doesn’t mean anything, why put in the time?”
Patterson served on the school board for 11 years.
“I want to thank my husband (Tom Patterson) and son (Jeff Patterson) ? they were my support system,” she said.
An application to fill the school board seat is available at the school district website, clarkston.k12.mi.us. Deadline to drop off questionnaire information, resume, and letter of interest at the district administration building, 6389 Clarkston Road, is May 1.
The school board is expected to appoint the new board member at its May 11 meeting, to serve a partial term until the next board election on Nov. 8, 2016.
Contact Patterson at 248-396-3148 or TJJPATT01@comcast.net.