Trust lost

After the latest reactive management decision from our local GCDSD Board, community and staff members who are furious about the superintendent selection asked me to share their total lack of trust in these elected officials.

As someone who has five Raider graduates, loved and fully supported the GCDSD for years, this selfish decision does not surprise me. I just wanted to wait until after the 2023 graduation was over before I shared thoughts that I truly feel are also supported by the majority of community and staff.

As taxpayers there is obvious evidence of several dysfunctional reactive management patterns. The worst I’ve seen in over four decades. Many respected staff came forward, supported by some who have more experience in the GCDSD than all board members combined, and said they could not support the board’s choice. The board was told that they and the current superintendent are not trusted, they can be replaced, and future ballot measures will not be supported.

I’ve been saying this for some time, and now it is helpful to be accurate and validated. These elected officials displayed more reactive management with this hire by basically sending out a message that, based on expertise and advice from colleagues, they were not to be questioned so everyone should live with it, fall in line and do as you are told.

These self-proclaimed good stewards never show any accountability for their actions, nor do they hold others accountable who are not competent. They do not practice servant leadership by putting others first. Taxpayers trump your so-called colleagues and expertise. You are “stupid is as stupid does” bobble heads. Always making unanimous decisions shows insecurity, is not healthy, and weakens a fundamental pillar of wisdom — a diversity of viewpoints so everyone is valued and learns from one another in a collaborative, unified, productive fashion.

Here is a quick review of just a few of the GCDSD Board’s reactive management decisions that were/are not supported by the majority of taxpayers:

We are a small 2B classified school district that is significantly overstaffed with 12 administrators and district office employees. There are also additional employees getting stipends for state and federal oversite duties that should be done with existing district office staff. Remember our current superintendent also wanted to hire an additional superintendent to oversee the GCDSD daily operations while he stayed on as boss. Don’t ask taxpayers for funds when you can’t get this correct. This takes funds away from options for kids. Model the right thing by downsizing, multi-tasking, selling the District Office building and relocating within the existing buildings.

You ignored the taxpayers and were rewarded with no confidence by getting hammered with ballot measure requests that failed by some of the worst margins in Washington state. Embarrassing.

You decided to sue Washington state even though you were sent huge amounts of funds to keep the GCDSD operating for our kids during COVID. You should be ashamed.

The Nespelem School District is now going to have their own high school starting with freshmen for the 2023-24 school year. This is due to your actions or lack thereof.

Over the last few years you’ve lost some of the very best and brightest staff members. These numbers are very significant and far from normal. Employees who love their jobs would stay here even if a better opportunity arose, but your lack of accountability has led them to leave. There are also those who presently work for the GCDSD but do not enjoy working for you. Our fabulous music man and amazing athletic director are now out, along with many other good people. Unbelievable.

Along with your latest “our way or the highway” decision, community and staff are fed up! This is due to your own isolated, stubborn, egotistical, arrogant way of doing business time and time again. You get failing marks in the areas of sound human dynamics and fiscal stability. You’ve lost the trust of the majority of taxpayers. You’ve done this to yourselves even though many who love our local school district have repeatedly warned you and tried very hard to help.

We honestly need people who will do what is best for our kids — not themselves! It’s time for new, creative, responsible, solutions-oriented, courageous leadership that everyone can be proud of and support.

Until the next blunder,

John M. Adkins