Surprise, AZ News blog

WestValley Editorials Blog, Education, not recall, should be focus of Dysart Unified parents

It’s long been the stance of The Arizona Republic that recalls are not the way to go. The time to remove unresponsive elective officials is when they face the public at a regularly scheduled election; not at a costly and time-consuming special election.

Two fathers, Marcus White and David Sobelman, are seeking the recall of three members of the Dysart Unified School District’s governing board because they believe the board members have gone haywire and are ignoring the will of parents. The campaign is against board President Charles Otterman; his wife and board clerk, Bridget Pauletich-Otterman; and a board member Christine Pritchard.

On the surface, their efforts may seem justified. But they ought to take a different approach.

Central to the parents’ case is the board’s absurd decision to do away with uniforms several days into the school year after parents had already shelled out money for school wardrobes. That decision continues to befuddle.

One has to wonder what were the underlying motivations for the abrupt change. It started with Otterman - whom Superintendent Gail Pletnick says instructed her to review the uniform policy - yet public input was never allowed.

Then there are the dubious circumstances surrounding the hiring of Pletnick, allegations that community input was shut out and better-qualified candidates were turned away.

The White and Sobelman case is meticulously documented, and backed up with audio recordings of the meetings, at saveourdysart.com. It’s a shame that events in Dysart have sparked a recall, although it should not come as a total surprise.

Not long ago, two board members resigned because of what they called “intolerable” or “uncomfortable” conditions, at best. One rescinded his resignation and rejoined the board.

Community members have valid concerns, particularly if their elected officials are too wrapped up in playing politics that they aren’t giving full consideration to the community’s voice.

A recall election would be an unnecessary distraction and expense, which this fast-growing district can’t afford.

There are visible signs of progress on the educational front: Four of the district’s 19 schools recently earned “highly performing” status, new ground for Dysart. Nine others received a “performing plus” rating, four a “performing” label and two fell short, being dubbed as “underperforming.”

The focus should be on giving students the best educational experience and making sure they can compete in tomorrow’s world.

For the record, Otterman and his wife are up for re-election in November 2008. Pritchard’s term expires December 2010.

If the Dysart community is so unhappy with the board’s direction, it should drum up support for candidates who would heed public voices.