The pair formed a committee to investigate. If the board had been listening, critics say, they wouldn't have turned to the politicians. But board members insist that they either had planned to fix alleged problems, hadn't agreed that they were problems or hadn't heard them about them at all. And he did, at one of the council hearings. Bounds said board members hadn't heard from any people who testified that night about school problems or the board's inaccessibility.
Some people say they're afraid of the board's reaction.
Somebody on the board has to be able to listen without getting defensive, listen without taking it personally. . . . Sometimes, even board members have a tough time airing concerns. During a July meeting, Gene Streagle, director of high schools, presented a report analyzing suspensions and expulsions for the previous year. While praising the report, the newest board member, Laura Waters, said she couldn't tell from it how many students had fought or received lesser penalties such as detentions. Now, I don't know, I'm not suggesting you run out and do it right now. . . .