We relearned a hard lesson earlier this month — one that after so many years of covering county commissions, city councils and school boards should be stenciled on the wall in front of our desk at the newspaper. Our mistake? We failed to attend a special meeting of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board. There were several reasons for this, but the bottom line is that the newspaper should have had a representative there. And we didn’t. For that we apologize.

Unfortunately it probably wouldn’t have made a difference if we had been at the meeting, most of which was conducted in executive session. Later, in open session, five members of the seven-member board announced the district’s intention not to renew the contract of a thirdyear English teacher. That decision was not confirmed until several days later because the only information given in open session was a resolution number. The Independent-Reporter had to file an open records request to obtain a copy of the resolution.

Board members were within their rights to handle the matter the way they did and at another special meeting a week later, when they took final action on the nonrenewal, the I-R was immediately given a copy of the motion by board attorney John Sherman. Still, there is something troubling about actions taken in open session being cloaked in a resolution number.

Months ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses and restricted attendance at normally open meetings, we had high hopes public officials would find new ways to involve the taxpayers they serve. Most, including USD 327, arranged to conduct their meetings using internet programs that allowed spectators to monitor the representatives responsible for their tax dollars from the safety of their homes.

The public’s business should have become more transparent as a result. That has not been the case in our experience. Faulty equipment, individuals too soft spoken to be heard — these things and more have contributed to an unreliable flow of information.

In the case of USD 327, all school boards are limited in the information they can share. Personnel issues are touchy. That goes without saying.

But at the same time every effort should be taken to strengthen the bond between the public and those they elect to represent them. Public trust — that’s something no elected official should be willing to do without. Transparency is an important part of that effort.

A FINAL NOTE — In recent weeks, the Independent-Reporter has received two letters critical of school employees. Both ended the same way — calling for them to be fired.

When did we all become so perfect we could be so critical — and unforgiving — of others, often times simply because we disagree with them? Isn’t there a better way to resolve our differences than to try and destroy someone professionally?

This month, the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District has experienced the resignations of a superintendent and high school principal and the non-renewal of a third year English teacher’s contract.

It is yet to be seen whether the board’s decision on the contract non-renewal has any long-term effect on the retention and recruitment of teachers and other employees to the district. We suspect morale — especially at the junior-senior high school — could use a boost about now.

In July, Ellsworth welcomes a new superintendent, Deena Hilbig, who is finishing the school year in her current job as principal of Meadowlark Ridge Elementary School at Salina. Hilbig will have a lot on her plate when she arrives in Ellsworth. Hilbig comes to her new job with an impressive background. In a telephone interview with the I-R following her selection, Hilbig referred to her ability to build relationships as one of her strengths. Given the events of the past few months, the Ellsworth district could use some relationship building. But no one person can do it alone — not even with the support of the school board.

Parents and other USD 327 patrons need to step up, too. The new superintendent and the district both have a better chance of success if we all pitch in to help.