If he speaks, there is no reason for us to do so. My colleagues size up a situation the same way and act accordingly. During the public comment period that precedes the meetings, Vallas and his chief aides field complaints, often talking with gripers on the spot to straighten out difficulties. The approach was Vallas' idea, according to Ben Reyes, the board's chief operating officer. When people take time out to come down from work or school to ask questions, we want them to get the information they came for.
Reform groups have their qualms about the new board.
I don't know if they understand the issues except from the staff perspective. But Vallas' subordinates delight in the less intrusive board. Now Paul and Gery Chico are the committee. To Chico's mind, the test of the new board's success will be if reading scores of the 109 schools in probation climb 5 percent to 10 percent within three years. If we lose, the reform people can come back in, and we'll hold them accountable.