Superintendent Has Too Much Power (Feb. 21, 2011)

Sun News
Myrtle Beach, S.C
February 21, 2011


To the Editor:

Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait, without the approval of the Horry County Board of Education, removed a district policy in 2000 which had been in effect since 1998.  The policy, entitled "Information Gathering by Administrators," guarantees the secret ballot or anonymity for teachers and others on "highly sensitive issues," whenever administration tries to gather information on school-related concerns such as year-round schooling and scheduling.  About two weeks after I expressed my indignation about the policy removal, Dr. Postlewait reinstated the policy in February 2002, again without board approval.  The shocking nature of these actions is that under our coherent governance policies, effective since 2000, the superintendent makes district policy, not the board. The superintendent can create any policy or remove any policy without board approval and without public knowledge, and policy is subject to change at a moment's notice.  Every district policy ought to be determined through an open, public process with final approval by the board of education.

In the process of preparing the district's high schools for a move to 4 x 4 block scheduling in the 1997-1998 school year, teachers were asked to choose scheduling preferences on ballots which would require their signatures.  Some teachers expressed anxiety and fear of possible retribution for not voting for the new 4 x 4 block scheduling.  As a result of some very imprudent practices, I filed two grievances against Horry County Schools. The board of education heard my appeal and implemented a policy in 1998 which would require secret balloting, a practice which Dr. Postlewait opposed.  This was done under traditional governance and with board approval.  This was a victory for democratic principles.

Shortly afterwards, I began to hear the superintendent and the board talk about something called board governance.  This sounded great to me.  I believed the board saw the need for more governance by the board, for my experience with the superintendent led me to believe they thought the administration was wielding too much power.   In June 2000 our board adopted John Carver’s Policy Governance model and called it board governance. 

Board governance sounded like the board was gaining more power, but just the opposite was occurring.  The board was redirecting its attention to results and giving over to the superintendent all operational authority.  I did not understand this power shift at the time and failed to examine the particulars. My focus shifted to other important public issues.

My eyes were opened when the superintendent reinstated the secret ballot policy in 2002, but I did not begin to challenge board governance publicly until the district began to hold public meetings in 2007 to elicit ideas on what they wanted in a new superintendent.  In a meeting at Socastee High School, I suggested that we seek a superintendent who favored traditional governance over board governance.  I was rebuffed by the moderator and told that my concern was not appropriate for this type of meeting.  I was righteously indignant.  The public needed to know what board governance was really all about.  I then conducted intensive research which resulted in a 120 page research presentation to the Horry County Board on the practice of board governance around the United States. I also appealed for a return to traditional governance.  I never received a response of any kind from the board.  Current issues and an economic crisis demand that we revisit how we govern and how we operate.

District policy ought to be determined by the public through the board of education.  All operations should, as well, especially curriculum and finances.  Does the public really believe the superintendent should have so much power?



Sincerely yours,
Bobby Chandler


722 Pine Drive
Surfside Beach, S. C.   29575