Shawnee Mission School District Board - Dumb Move

 This one is easy.  With the resignation of the current superintendent the board needs to find replacement.

They advertise for applicants..............restricting it to internal applicants only.

Dumb move, IMHO.

It is quite possible that there may be an individual within the district who could conceivably be the best qualified.  And then again not necessarily.  Why not?  Because by making it internal only the board is limiting the size of the applicant pool.  Is it possible that there is somebody out there who is more qualified than any of  the internal applicants?  Quite possibly!!!  Bigger pool.  

Many organizations look outside of their sphere for many reasons to include the idea that an "outsider" might bring new, fresh ideas to a position and possibly to look at operations with more of an open mind, especially to changes.

If the call had gone out for internal and external applicants and an internal individual was still deemed to be the best qualified, then so be it.  But, the taxpayers will never know if they may have lost out on someone more qualified.  

Question:  Is it possible that the board may have already had a good idea as to who they wanted for the job from the internal pool?

Dumb move SMSD board.

The Distler Dilemma

 By now most folks in Shawnee are aware that our mayor, Michelle Distler has been approved for a diversion program after being charged with felony perjury.

In an article published February 4, 2021 in the Kansas City Star (and a similar one in the Shawnee Mission Post), Distler's lawyer, Robin Fowler is quoted as saying:

"She looks forward to moving on with her life in a constructive way, and plans to do her part to try and make her community a better place to live."  He is also quoted as saying "She also wishes to express her heartfelt apology to anyone impacted by these events."

OK, let's take the second part of the above first.  A "heartfelt apology"?  Coming from a paid mouthpiece (old east coast term).  IMHO she needs to go on the record, at a council meeting with a three way apology.  First to me, for using my name because she was "afraid of political repercussions" if she had used her own name.  Secondly, to the city council itself, because as mayor she sits as the head of the governing body.  And thirdly, and most importantly, to the citizens of Shawnee for actions that were a disgrace to the city and an insult to all those who voted and worked the streets for her.

Now as far as making the community a better place to live.  She needs to stop trying to be friends with everybody and start to become a real leader.  And that means being able to make decisions rather than excuses for not making them.  I supported her for many years and actually thought that because she was such a cheerleader for the city that she would become a good leader.

Wow, was I mistaken.  It really hit home with the Community Center project which fortunately got defeated 72%-28%.  She was asked where she stood, even at one of her Thursday coffee sessions.  She wouldn't say.  All she would say is that it was on the ballot and the citizens would choose.  That is not leadership.  Folks wanted to know where she stood.  She didn't want to alienate anybody so she took no stand.  She wouldn't endorse candidates for state rep and/or state senate because they were running as "party partisans" and the mayor in Shawnee is "non-partisan".  Horse nonsense.  The mayor has an obligation to endorse and support folks for state office that he/she feels can best represent Shawnee at the state level.  And even gubernatorial, Congressional and US Senate

Then we come to the city council president selection.  The council was tied 4-4.  She didn't want to break the tie because "it would make the council appear even more divisive".  Horse nonsense, in a situation like this it is incumbent upon the mayor to voice their opinion as to who they think would be best qualified to assume the mayor's seat if needed.

Her unwillingness to make decisions or take sides is not leadership.  It's a person who thinks by straddling a fence they can make everybody happy.  Ain't gonna happen.  A leader has to make decisions........."ya can make some of the people happy all the time, all of the people happy some of the time but ya can't make all of the people happy all the time"  She had an opportunity to really take Shawnee forward, especially as the first female elected mayor in this city.  She blew it.

Now as a side note, the Shawnee Mission Post has published the emails that Distler was complaining about.  First, the chain was started by a non elected individual, who included five elected officials in the chain.  The topic was not about how to proceed or vote on an item coming up but rather a discussion of something that had already happened.  One of the two council members who responded was explaining what had happened.  The other one asked that they be removed from that mailing list.  I'm no legal eagle, but I believe that discussing something that has happened as opposed to planning on how to act on an upcoming item is not, IMHO a KOMA violation.

Side bar:  In a previous article in the KC Star former city council member Stephanie Meyer was quoted as saying she thought the emails should still be investigated as possible KOMA violations.  All she has to do is download them from the Shawnee Mission Post web site and then attach them to an on line complaint form (being sure to use her real name).  Keep in mind though, my comments in the preceding paragraph.  

Edited 2/17/21 for typos

Shawnee, Quit Stifling Citizen Input

 On January 28, 2021 I sent the following email to the governing body.

It speaks for itself.

Short, sweet and to the point.

Even though folks are encouraged to listen to the live stream of council meetings there are provisions for individuals to attend in person.

It’s high time that the agenda item “Business from the floor” be brought back. 

The idea that citizens can email the council with their thoughts is fine, except that does not replace an actual live commentary possibly with back up documents.

IMHO there is no valid reason not to have the opportunity for individuals to address the council on matters that are not on the rest of the agenda. 

The citizens of Shawnee deserve the opportunity to address the council, live and in person.  This continued stifling of input is outrageous.