BISD board showed it is the problem, not the superintendent

By ENTERPRISE OPINIONS
November, 14, 2009

In some ways, the latest flap in the Beaumont Independent School District was a familiar one. Superintendent Carrol Thomas was allowed to promote two administrators that the board had specifically rejected a month before.

In doing so, however, Thomas and the board showed what the real problem in the district is. This time, the trustees erased any doubt over whether the superintendent should be held responsible for the recent problems that have plagued the district.

They proved, in an embarrassing way, that they are the problem. They showed that they aren't exercising the leadership they are supposed to provide. They made it painfully clear that they are allowing Thomas to manipulate them.

Think about Thursday's spectacle: Thomas submits the same slate of names for various personnel changes that he did at October's meeting along with two new counselor positions.

Last month, the board showed some spine and told Thomas it didn't want to approve Robert Zingelmann for director of business finance or Ted Stuberfield for principal at Smith Middle School. It rejected the entire slate because Thomas wouldn't separate out those two.

This time, the board simply rolled over and approved Zingelmann and Stuberfield after Thomas refused to separate their names. Only two board members rejected this gambit - Terry Williams and Ollis Whitaker.

Board President Woodrow Reece, Vice President Janice Brassard and members Thomas Neild, William Nantz, Howard Trahan Jr. simply granted Thomas what he wanted the second time he asked.

So there you have it, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer. If the board won't do its job, don't be angry at their employee - the superintendent. And remember all this next spring when trustee elections are held.