Jason Moore
Powhatan County School Board

In a piece called “A Tale of Two Boards” a “Rules of Engagement” was proposed to regulate communications between the supervisors and school board.  The “Rules” are modest and direct:  1) Quarterly meetings between the boards 2) Phone contact between individuals to address misunderstandings and 3) Written rules to “crystallize how we are going to behave towards one another.” 

Another rule which was not written about, but which has been discussed is a requirement that all board members must support all board votes.

Although I agree with civil discourse, the manner in which the “Rules of Engagement” were proposed and how they are to be implemented are disconcerting. 

The manner in which the recommendations were proposed violates the very tenor of the rules.  If one wants to develop and implement changes in how the boards interact, then follow your recommended rules.  Call or write the board members and arrange group or individual meetings to discuss the issue.  Don’t pull a political stunt laying out a proposal in an op/ed piece without providing a copy of the “Rules of Engagement” to those most affected by the recommendations.  And before anyone wonders, this letter was sent to the both boards before publication.

Currently, the boards meet once a year to discuss the budget and have met once each of the last two years to discuss the CIP.  The boards have discussed meeting more often to address various items affecting both boards.
Some wanting more meetings, however, suggest the boards not discuss money.  What else do the boards have to discuss if not the budget and CIP?  The budget and CIP are the two most important links connecting the two boards.  If the boards have issues to discuss and need more meetings to discuss the issues, then arrange the meetings.  Having quarterly meetings for appearance without purpose or focus is counter-productive wasting precious staff time and taxpayer’s money.

In addition, have relations between the boards deteriorated to the point that we need to negotiate a treaty to govern and regulate the most basic of our interactions?  At a Christmas Party, will I need to chastise a supervisor because he asked about next year’s budget by replying:  “According to Article X, section 2, paragraph 1 of the Rules of Engagement you are not allowed to ask budget questions at social gatherings.” 

The supervisor’s own story regarding his visit to the school bus garage demonstrates that the boards can work together.  If all involved behave like civilized adults, which in my experience they have, then unenforceable written rules are unnecessary.

Furthermore, the supervisor designed “Rules of Engagement” to decrease the friction between the boards.  Friction, by the supervisor’s definition is “wasted energy,” which is “inevitable” due to our system of government, but which may become constructive when used properly. 

James Madison wrote in detail about the importance of friction in government and its positive effects.  He wanted shifting factions to fight over every issue before Congress with the hope that compromise would lead to improvements.  We seem to forget that some battles are worth fighting.  Instead, we want to avoid conflict and paper over differences in an attempt to preserve the peace.

We should heed the words of Thomas Paine and Barry Goldwater.  Paine wrote: “If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace” and to paraphrase Goldwater: “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!”  These patriots understood that it is better to fight a just battle than surrender a principle. 

The fight between legitimate differences must be honest, fair and civil.  “Rules of Engagement,” however will do little to dampen the fireworks when policymakers argue over legitimate issues.  I for one, will not suborn my beliefs to support board decisions which I believe are wrong, and I will actively and vocally advocate positions which I support, but which were not supported by the board as a whole.

It must be assumed that these rules will be developed, written and voted upon by the two boards.  There will be much rejoicing and fanfare at their passage and the belief that the boards can now work together in harmony.  Form must be followed whether or nor substance is created.
I choose a different path and follow a higher rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do onto yourself.”