Building trust is vital for Cedar Rapids schools

Wixted & Company, a firm hired by the Cedar Rapids Community School District to create a communications plan, found a “lack of trust” between schools and the district, as well as between the community and the district.

The firm advised the district to “build trust” by establishing “transparent, consistent communication channels that demonstrate accountability and responsiveness.”

“In the absence of information, people believe the worst. If they don’t hear from you, they figure you’re not doing anything,” said Eileen Wixted, principal of the firm, according to reporting by The Gazette’s Grace King. “You have a tremendous number of headwinds, like all other education and school districts are facing.

“What I want to tell you is we are living in a low-trust environment just from a societal standpoint. So, there’s a lack of trust, and you’re seeing that in your district as well with regard to relationships,” Wixted said.

It’s an accurate assessment, and Wixted offers solid advice that the district must follow to overcome a lack of trust and other communications challenges. Not surprisingly, we’re very interested in the district becoming more transparent in its decision-making.

One suggestion is for the district to scrap a policy that allows only the school board president to make public statements for the board.

The policy is shutting down conversations that need to happen in public. Ending the policy would allow the public to understand the individual views of board members. It also enables the public to identify strong board members and those who are not.

Current policy allows board members not serving as president to avoid commenting on tough issues. That’s unfair to voters who elect those members and who want to hear where they stand. It’s a fundamental part of being an elected official.

Consider the debate surrounding significant salary increases for district administrators who are taking on new duties. In July, the board voted 4-3 to reject a personnel report that included the pay raises. A special board meeting was then called, but a revised personnel report omitted the executive leadership positions.

During this debate, only school board President Cindy Garlock has spoken publicly about the issue. But emails obtained by King reveal a discussion behind the scenes.

Emails between board member Jennifer Borcherding and Garlock reveal Borcherding's concerns about the administration's budget, which far exceeds the 3 percent pay increase negotiated by teachers.

It’s an important discussion, but district residents shouldn’t have to file a Freedom of Information Act request to see it. Holding public policy discussions away from the public only feeds public mistrust and misunderstanding.

Trust is crucial as the district asks voters to back a $117 million bond issue on the November ballot.

The board is not functioning at the level needed to build trust. It must set an example of transparency for the district. And until board members set that example, the district’s relationship with the community will not strengthen.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com