Horry County Schools
District Office
Conway, S. C.
Members of the Board:
My campaign to have you abandon Coherent Governance and reinstate traditional governance has never been about improving test scores or measures of any kind. No studies have shown a correlation between any form of governance and measurable results. We have seen students succeed under both forms of governance. Nevertheless, facts will demonstrate clearly that traditional governance is better than Coherent Governance for a democratic-republic.
What is Coherent Governance? Coherent Governance has the board govern but severely limits its duties to very few beyond those required by law. The board makes policy for the board only. The board specifies parameters for and delegates its legal authority to the superintendent to make district policy, administer, and manage district operations. The board is responsible for setting goals, but the superintendent is responsible for the means of obtaining them. The board monitors and holds the superintendent alone responsible for results. The board does not interfere with how results are obtained, unless they are produced unethically or illegally.
What is traditional governance? Traditional governance has the board govern and make all policy for the board and district operations. The board and superintendent together have the responsibility to see that policies are carried out. The board oversees the superintendent’s proper administration of the district and directives of the board. The board and superintendent are both responsible for results and the means by which they are obtained. The superintendent never makes policy, not even for district operations. Both manage the district cooperatively. All legal authority rests with the board.
You have been mixing traditional and Coherent Governance, two contradictory philosophies, causing much confusion, and encroaching on the superintendent’s delegated authority. After a heated board discussion over dual credit and class rank at a recent workshop, a district administrator approached me and ridiculed the Board saying, "And you want more Board involvement?" Dual credit, rank, at-will employees, SROs, the board is even considering the establishment of a standing committee for procurement, all in the superintendent’s domain. Standing committees are not allowed under Coherent Governance, only temporary ones. In addition, a procurement committee would involve district management. Mixed governance will not work!
Of course, you can treat your Coherent Governance Policies as mere suggestions, operate loosely with fluid governance, and do anything you like with your plenary authority by majority vote, but do not wonder why many are upset with the actions of this board and the status of district operations. If you are not going to follow even the spirit of your own policies, then why have them? Revisions will not help, for these policies are fundamentally flawed.
The facts clearly demonstrate that democratic practice is not being honored. Citizens have virtually no influence over curriculum, operations, district policy, and how their tax dollars are spent. Board policy does not give the board management and voting authority over these matters. Citizens are virtually shut out of their own public schools, their voices becoming mere suggestions to the superintendent who represents no one. As much as we need the expertise of professional educators, we need a knowledgeable, involved board to represent citizens’ concerns about all operations. Therefore, if you value citizen participation and democratic practice, traditional governance is superior to Coherent Governance. This is a fact, plain and simple, not a matter of opinion.
Since it is obvious that you want to regain some of your legal authority and are causing us to zig and zag down a slippery slope, please save us the agony of the descent, reclaim all of your legal authority, and vote for a return to traditional governance.
Sincerely,
Bobby Chandler
722 Pine Drive
Surfside Beach, S. C. 29575
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