What you see is not what you get

When it comes to a school board trustee, what you see is not what you get.

In a specific situation I am close to, what you get is more, “much more.”

Let me explain. For more than a year, I have worked closely with Whitefish resident Ruth Harrison, both of us essentially volunteers. In Ruth’s case, she is a member of the Whitefish School District board of trustees and is now a candidate for re-election to another term.

I have said to my wife and others I know how amazed I am at the time Ruth spends on behalf of our kids (in my case grandchildren) and on our collective efforts in the community as teachers, administrators and citizens to provide for the best education possible.

To a certain extent, what you expect of someone elected to a public office is nothing less than a full commitment. But at what point can it be said that someone is going the extra mile (or two, or three?)

Every trustee is appointed to various committees or task forces. When a trustee puts 100 percent into his or her immediate responsibilities, which in and of itself is a large time commitment, and then participates in the committee meetings of others, in my mind that trustee is giving more, “much more” than expected.

Add to that attending most student plays and performances and observing model class rooms where new teaching methods are being explored, it seems like even doing “much more” is an understatement.

When questioned, Ruth has said to me that she attends all that she can, expected to or not, in a deliberate effort to be as educated as possible about the many issues facing the trustees, so that when she ends up casting a vote she does so with a clear conscience that she has researched the many sides of an issue and that her vote is based on fact and not hearsay, supposition or emotions.

Clearly, this letter is one of support for a candidate I know and trust. It is not meant to imply that other candidates do not have the credentials to serve as a trustee. I don’t know them like I know Ruth.

But if you are reading this letter and you care at all about the future of Whitefish schools, it is important to research what each candidate has to offer. Not only what they have done elsewhere at another time, but where they stand now, and have they done anything recently to earn your vote and respect?

It’s important to ask yourself what their experience with past board meetings has been; have they spoken out and/or contributed to discussion about an issue, and do they have the experience to continue the shepherding of a major building project such as that which is going on at the high school?

I submit that now is not the time to consider a changing of the guard. Not only is Ruth Harrison extremely knowledgeable about the high school project, but she also has knowledge of past construction projects involving the middle school and the Performing Arts Center that will help the trustees not only carry out their current oversight responsibilities, but also aid them in future planning.

— Dr. Richard Ward