TRAVERSE CITY -- In a word, the Traverse City school board can sum up the past year as one of "change."
Two new members took office in January, at the same time the board elected its first new president in six years. Members adopted a set of goals for their own improvement. And they revisited a contentious July 2007 decision to close three elementary schools.
Board members say the year's changes, for the most part, have helped them evolve in their interactions with each other and the community.
"The meetings are a little bit more open, they're a little bit more cordial," said Megan Crandall, who was elected along with Marjie Rich in November 2007. "I think it gives us a much better image."
Board members in January elected Fred Tank to serve as this year's president. Dave Barr, who became vice president, was his challenger.
Tank unseated outgoing board member Gerald Morris, who held the presidency from 2002-07.
"The transition from me to Fred went well," said Morris, who did not seek re-election in November. "As any board member, he's still growing."
Board members are working together better now than they did early in the year, Barr said, but not as quickly as in past years.
He said an initial lack of trust toward one another, now mostly resolved, was to blame.
"In some ways, we've gotten very little done," he said. "The first two or three months in particular, all we did was second-guess what the previous board had done."
Barr was referring to the board's action in February to revisit the decision to close Bertha Vos, Glenn Loomis and Norris elementary schools at the end of the 2007-08 school year.
Tank, who plans to run again for president, said he has heard the comments that the board spends too much time discussing and not enough time deciding.
But he added that it's hard to expect rapid action when the input of seven people is considered.
"If they do move rapidly, you're just liable to make more mistakes," he said. "You have to give time for potential actions to be understood."
Crandall said she would like the board to become more proactive with the issues they tackle by asking questions of administrators or requesting to review policies they think could be adapted.
The board also will have to approve at least $2 million in cuts for the next school year, reductions Barr said will require full cooperation.
"Hopefully, the board can make a decision," he said. "It's going to be a real test to this board to see if we can do that."
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