Thursday, September 27, 2007

Kay Noble voted for a new Lynnwood High School.

Like many of my readers, I am left wondering why Gary Noble voted to construct a new Lynnwood High School. Could it be the District's explosive population boom and the huge influx of students pouring into the Lynnwood High School service area? No. Could it be the ever-increasing rate of student retention? No. Could it be that his wife, who works at Lynnwood High School, wants a stylish new classroom? No doubt.

This is precisely why the Board adopted their "Conflicts of Interest" policy. It was intended to prevent a situation like this. We will never know if Gary Noble ever engaged both sides of the debate. We will never know if Gary Noble truly deliberated the pros and cons of relocating Lynnwood High School. We will never know if Gary Noble's vote was tainted by the subjective opinion of a lone voice at Lynnwood High School.

Could I vote against constructing a new high school for my wife? I wouldn't have to pay a dime and it certainly would help the "family dynamic" in other areas. It would be better than any diamond ring or Lexus and wouldn't trigger years of payments (for me, at least). How could I admit to my wife that the numbers just don't make any sense.

Sure, Nick Brossoit can cite all the rules and regulations of other professional associations, like his favorite the "Washington State School Director's Association". They have a link that specifically claims a board member can have a spouse that works for the District, just as long as the spouse was an employee before the Board member was elected.

The Edmonds School District did not adopt such a policy. They specifically elevated the standard and haven't backed away since. It was the Board's choice and that's exactly what Board Policy 1260 states. There is no gray area and no room to negotiate. Gary Noble must step down at once.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I could vomit.

Anonymous said...

Monkey business.

Anonymous said...

Make no mistake, WSSDA is a professional association. It is a “club” where school administrators can network. Their policies are suggestions not state law.

I would bet dollars for doughnuts that there was a problem at one time in the Edmonds School District. The Board policy was adopted to eliminate it.

Anonymous said...

If Gary wants to stay on the Board and do the right thing, he needs to recuse himself anytime there is a topic regarding Lynnwood High up for vote. That would leave an even number of votes and opens the possibility of ties. This would essentially cause everything to come to a halt, just like in the city of Lynnwood.

Anonymous said...

When you think about it, Gary actually influences several things that might be a conflict of interest. He approves all of the curriculum, expense reports, credit card bills, field trips, bargaining agreements (which includes pay items), capital projects and maintenance that directly and indirectly impact LHS, administrator positions (Kay's boss) and I'm sure several other things I'm not thinking of.

Anonymous said...

The Golden Rule applies here, ya know, those with the gold rule. Now there are good rulers and bad rulers, which we have is a matter of opinion. Thank God they're not royality and will sit on their little thrones for life. We can only hope the district taxpayers will choose carefully come election time.

Anonymous said...

I don't recall having these problems before Nick Brossoit arrived. Ineligible board members making very bad decisions to buy contaminated land. It must be common practice in Tumwater.

Anonymous said...

This is just plain bad. noble and shields need to follow williams along the high road to anyplace else.

Anonymous said...

Lynnwood dad would second that motion!

Anonymous said...

Kay Noble at Lynnwood High School:

2004-5, $40,354 + $2,446
2005-6, $41,268 + $3,136
2006-7, $43,050 + $4,274

Overtime as percentage of salary:
2004-5, 6%
2005-6, 8%
2006-7, 10%