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SML Board of Control, Minutes May 26, 1999. Page 2 alphabetically, without reference to titles. There was an amendment to list Haller's [name] first and list him as president because of the work he had done ... So, we made a decision at that meeting. Michael Williams came to this meeting and presented us with additional information ... We changed that decision. Additional information surfaced to Haller about this, and I think, as typically in the past, the president has always been able to make a decision to go to the governing bodies because he's your representative. And, I think it got more information out. So, whether we change it or not is academic, but I think it's a continuing process. The first process was not liked, so we decided to change it. So, to me it is a continuation of that process. But, I don't think you should hand-string your president, particularly, in being able to go to the Commission and/or the [City] Council."" Orella Brazile asked, ""As a decision-making body of this board ... Or are we a decision-making body? Did we actually form a policy? I thought that as a decision-making body we had established a [building plaque] policy or guidelines so we would not have to hear this over and over. And if that's so, did we develop a policy? Was that a policy?"" Jim Pelton said, ""I don't know if it was a policy, but there is a set of guidelines that we had at the March meeting that we amended and we re-amended them again at the April meeting."" Orella Brazile said, ""If there was a problem with the guidelines established by this body, why couldn't we have come back together in order to either hear more about it. One of the things [stated in the Handbook for Trustees] that we are suppose to do is come up with policies and procedures that govern. We are not the day-to-day team of this operation. But if we are to develop them as a guide of operation, and if we run into problems, let us know there is a problem and let us change it. I was not informed of this situation. As a Board member, I feel that we should at least have been informed that there was a problem."" Haller Jackson said, ""I take full responsibility and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I think before anyone on the Board goes before a governing body, we all should vote on it."" Gail Griffin said she wanted this to be added to the Bylaws. Mary Bethel asked if the Board needs to amend the Bylaws since everyone has an understanding now. Alonzo Hodge said, ""Yes, so it won't happen again."" Gail Griffin explained that it should be in the Bylaws because when new Board members come on board or change offices, there should be clarification on how the Board is governed. She said, ""Also, sometimes in the minutes things are not recorded. So, if it is within the Bylaws, we will have the opportunity to look back at these things."" A vote was taken. Four trustees voted in favor of the motion and two opposed. Orella Brazile abstained. The motion passed. Orella Brazile explained that she did not really understand, and that she will have to look at the Bylaws to see where it [the motion] would be placed. Haller asked, ""Wasn't this vote today to put it on the agenda for the next meeting?"" Kathy Tuminello asked for clarification of the motion since it was unclear whether the original motion included a change to the Bylaws. Gail Griffin asked that the motion be amended to include Amendment of the Bylaws as an agenda item for the next Board meeting. Alonzo Hodge seconded the motion. All were in favor. Michael Williams commented, ""Last week I was not able to attend the work session meeting and did not have an opportunity to state my position. I have never had any intentions to do things by force, but do things by choice. I would like to clarify or correct any mixed emotions that I brought before this body concerning this. It was only to sincerely and humbly to state my position as I see things. It's never been to do anything by force and when I saw the word or the term 'strongly' used ... I have never used any strong anything. I've always been a person who tried to work in the spirit of compromise, even as I serve in my present capacity. And, I hope in the future that the word 'strong' or 'force' not be associated with Michael Williams because that's not me at all. However, I'm glad that we were able to negotiate in a fair and impartial way, and I think that sometimes things are taken out of context. That's not unusual when dealing with Board and bodies. I'm glad we were able to come to some common ground and work together on a solution on both sides ... Right? I want to commend everybody that serves on the Board and the work that you're doing sometimes gets emotional when dealing with public dollars. We should learn to work together, be fair and honest, and try to do what's best for the children. It's not my position or money. I only have one voice. I'm just here to just serve as a Board member. But, I will always state my position on things that I see that need to be done."" |
