New Tecumseh School Board seated

There were two or three occasions during Monday night's Tecumseh School Board meeting that offered opportunities for discussion. The board's newest members obviously had no hesitation in asking questions and throwing out ideas as newly elected president Ed Tritt and Stanley Ames (new treasurer) both weighed in on some issues, along with the others, and requested more information from school administrators.

Bob Kelley, who came on the board in June, filling the final year of a vacancy, has asked questions for clarification from his first meeting night. Most present board members seem comfortable asking questions, or even admitting that they feel pressured if decisions need to be made the same night as issues are discussed.

Tritt made it clear Monday night that he is never one to favor same-night decisions, however admitted he could see the necessity of getting approval for a quick posting to reinstate the principal's position at THS. "We're behind the 8-ball," he said. Tritt also closed the meeting by stating, "I appreciate the free flow discussion. That's how it should be." 

It may be a subtle changeover, but I think maybe the dynamics have shifted just a little bit with the seating of the new board, not that there wasn't opportunity for discussion before. If this week is any indication, however, we will, perhaps, see more discussion and more clarity and public exchange of information with this new group as issues come before them. 

The district may have received "good news" in its increased revenues when the 2010 budget wrapped up recently, but times are still tight. Tritt's words that the board must continue to be "conservative," even as it looks to potentially reinstate funds in some of those areas previously cut, were cautionary, but likely on target. The administration, including Supt. Mike McAran, has been through many budget cycles, and in recent years have seen anticipated dollars disintegrate by the time January rolls around and state officials are looking for areas where monies can help fund shortfalls in the state budget. Keeping a conservative eye on spending, even with the unexpected increase in revenues, is the best place to start off with a newly seated group of members.