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McKinney to hold 'town hall' meeting
School superintendent: 'If I don't have the answer, I'll tell you, but I'll get you that answer'
The head of the largest employer in the Victor Valley wants to talk directly to Hesperia residents.
"My whole intent behind this is just to reach out to the community," said Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent Mark McKinney said Monday.
Although McKinney believes the district does a "decent job" communicating with HUSD staff, teachers and parents, the district's community also includes childless adults and families that don't have students that attend district schools, and he wants to reach out to them.
"We have a community that's growing and I think they want to be aware, they need be aware," McKinney said. "I want to draw that net a little closer."
To that end, he will be holding a "town hall" style meeting on May 13, reaching out to residents and hearing what's on their mind.
"It really is just an open mic," he said. "If I don't have the answer, I'll tell you, but I'll get you that answer."
McKinney knows some partisans may grab hold of that open microphone and somewhat politicize the meeting. The superintendent said he's ready if the conversation moves on to the attempted recall of three school board members, for instance.
"That was a political process that ran its course, but now it's done," he said. "Now let's refocus on some of the other issues."
Even before this first question and answer session has taken place, McKinney is looking ahead to the next one.
"I'd like to do it twice a year. Really, I'd like to do it east side, west side."
The first meeting, at Mission Crest Elementary School, is located on the west side of Hesperia, the area that has experienced the most growth in recent years.
"This is the first one, and I know I'll make some mistakes," McKinney said. "I want it to be loose."
The question and answer session with McKinney will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, at Mission Crest Elementary School, 13065 Muscatel Street. For more information, call 244-4411.
Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.
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| In the real world, McKinney is his own man, but like most of us he has to answer to a boss. Undoubtedly at some point in his career as superintendent he will have to do something he doesn’t agree with but does it to keep his job. McKinney is also smart enough to know that he can do better being the superintendent even if he doesn’t agree with the board, than he could if he didn’t take the job. It is also a possibility that he takes the job, puts up with the board, gains experience and then leaves for a better job. None of us, with the exception of maybe Mrs. McKinney really know what is in his heart. I will say this, he does have a lot of character and I believe he is a good leader. I hope the board will recognize that and not try to micromanage him like they have so many other things. |
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| Pro McKinney - May 02, 2008 11:30:49 AM | Remove Comment |
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| LBO you are so right on. So many of these comments are idiotic in that they portray Mark McKinney as a good man of high character and then they say he is just a pawn of the board majority. That just can't be. Either he is the man we know, one of high moral character and leadership or he isn't. You can't have it both ways. I happen to know that Mark is his own man and wants to work with the board, staff, and community to make our schools better. |
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| geez - Apr 29, 2008 04:30:06 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I think McKinney wants to do this of his own accord. It is very good management to have a forum for interested parties to participate in an exchange of ideas and information. Unfortunately it sounds like some intend to use the town hall setting to continue an attack on the board rather than its intended purpose, to gain perspective and share ideas. In the end, HUSD is a part of the community. It either shapes the community or is shaped by the community. Are those who post comments here prepared to participate in a possitive exchange that will lead to better schools and better communities, even if the ideas and changes are contrary to thier own? I don't think so. People are so willing to pretend to support Mark by accusing the board of forcing certain actions, but few are willing to admit that this good guy might actually see the benefit of the boards actions. |
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| LBO - Apr 29, 2008 04:15:30 PM | Remove Comment |
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| did the board put you in the hot seat your in for the biggest ride of your life. this is the cruelest thing I have ever sen the board do yet to such a nice man as Mr, McKinney. You wont answer for yourselves but you will make him do it for you that is just sad and you now have to make him mop up your mess you should be ashamed of yourselves be kind to him its not his fault that kirk, and minton, and all the rest are cowards and wont answer for there behavior. Mr McKinney is a good man and now he is there puppet on a short leash he is only doing what he is told to do. |
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| OMG - Apr 29, 2008 10:49:33 AM | Remove Comment |
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| "educational processes" is not what will be discussed. People, maybe even myself are gonna use this as an opportunity to ask questions the Board won't answer. |
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| Questions - Apr 29, 2008 10:11:13 AM | Remove Comment |
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| There will be questions we can't ask, or if the questions are asked, Mr. McKinney won't be able to answer them. Such as how much of his game plan factors in appeasement, and if the citizens of Hesperia will be able to have a say in governance if their voice is co opted by people who have no interest in making decisions based on common sense and not flogging your power base. |
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| Hesperian2 - Apr 28, 2008 10:24:33 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Thanks for putting forth this much needed and long overdue effort.
It is sound governance, and management, to get students, parents, concerned citizens, and paid educators in a room talking about educational processes, even when there is disagreement. |
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| Chris B. - Apr 28, 2008 05:22:02 PM | Remove Comment |
