Questions about past Executive Sessions

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Question from D49 Parent:

I can’t find anywhere in the transcripts that a board member voiced concern over the content of what was being discussed. That tells me that you sat and listened to the other board members discuss a staff member in a negative light but you did not stand up for what was right. How are you leading by example when you are allowing a staff member to be called “stupid” in executive session?

NAME WITHHELD

Answer From Mark Shook:

In general, I try to not be overly judgmental of my neighbor's or my fellow board members. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. This allows me to uncover and sometimes understand what they are really trying to say.

Here is what was in black and white, plus my additions from listening to the tape again.

DAVE STARK: And I think we're cutting off our nose, to spite our face, just because there's this Paul is a friend, and his stupid wife was hired.

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I don't think that is it at all.

KENT CLAWSON: And I don't think it's nice to call his wife stupid.

First, Kent had said what we all were thinking, so there was no need to pile on. (We did stand up and correct the "stupid wife" comment.)

Second, having sat through multiple meetings sitting next to Dave Stark (or on the phone) , and dealing one on one with Dave Stark, I translated Starkenese into language I could understand. Remember , we all knew the context from prior meetings.

Third, Dave Stark was defending and standing up for the "------ wifes " husband, his job performance, his usefulness, and his effectiveness. He meant no disrespect.

So here is what I understood in my mental translation of "Stark Speak".

It was Grant' stupid decision and is not Paul's fault.

BUT, none the less, Kent Clawson was right to call Stark on his poor choice of words. It was wrong, and I make no excuse for Dave Stark's mistake.

Mark Shook