Dysart families deserve collaborative leadership

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Opinion

Questions surround Skvara’s Dysart bond push

OPINION — Leadership on a school governing board should be about collaboration, transparency and respect for the community. In my view, Dysart Unified School District Governing Board President Steve Skvara is falling short of that standard.

Three recent situations concern me.

Months ago, Skvara attempted to rewrite the district’s goals without what I believe was adequate discussion and collaboration with his fellow board members. That proposal ultimately failed.

Then, at the most recent board meeting, public comment time was reduced from 3 minutes to just 90 seconds. Again, I believe a significant change affecting the public deserved discussion among the entire board.

Limiting the public’s opportunity to speak sends the wrong message. Parents, teachers, taxpayers and community members deserve to be heard.

Now we have Proposition 421, a $71.4 million bond proposal on the November ballot. There are legitimate capital needs in Dysart, including aging HVAC systems, fire panels, facility renovations and new schools to accommodate growth. But how we address those needs matters too.

I would have preferred to see a citizen committee, broader public discussion and greater collaboration before deciding what went into the bond proposal. Instead, I believe the process left too little opportunity for meaningful community input.

A five-member governing board exists for a reason. No single member — not even the board president — should dominate the direction of the district.

Our students, teachers, parents and taxpayers deserve leadership that listens, collaborates and builds consensus.

Dysart is too important for anything less.

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