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Regular Council Meeting <br />3-17-97 <br />Page 5 <br />Mrs. Cinco read the comments from Mr. Fixler. (A copy is attached to the minutes as a <br />permanent record.) <br />Mr. Marquardt said he thinks it is important to note and he thinks it has been reflected in Mayor <br />Rinker's comments that this resolution is not challenging the school board in their authority to <br />provide governance to the administration. It really is supporting the community's right to know <br />what is going on. The calls for an interim superintendent are there to allow time for the <br />community to review the action taken to date and discuss the changes the board presidents face <br />that are forthcoming. <br />Mr. Buckholtz said Mayor Rinker has always made it clear in a lot of different situations that <br />commercialization and development are things that go on, that we want to be close with our <br />neighbors and be involved in the community but we don't want to overstep our bounds. He has <br />made it clear that we don't go into another community and we wouldn't want another community <br />coming into our area telling us what to do. He admits he went back and forth on this resolution a <br />number of times and tried to gather information. He has children in the school system and is <br />guilty of not going to enough board meetings which he is going to change immediately. The <br />parents have to be there and be involved. Then, he thinks the boaxd will be forced to look at that. <br />His phone has been ringing off the hook. (Calls from people he knows and does not know.) The <br />comments are all the same. They are holding board meetings, are not allowing people to speak, <br />and meetings are being held in restricted environments-like they know there will be 100 people <br />and pick a room-that seats 20. Things are being discussed in executive session. He said on <br />Council-they agree and disagree--they never know what will happen but they work it out. This <br />seems to be like 3-2 and restricting the flow of infortnation in and out. Yes, a year is a long time <br />to wait. But a lot can be done in that year to search for a superintendent. He thinks the board has <br />communicated they want to take a whole new direction. Well, let's take the year to communicate <br />what that direction is. Let's all get involved and find a new direction that makes everybody <br />excited. Then, you will find the correct or real direction. That was part of the problem the other <br />day. He read this in title and could easily flip flop back and forth. He does not know whether to <br />hire a superintendent tomorrow or in a year. The body that says our children and who owns the <br />school system is the people-not the school board. Just because they haven't been involved or <br />can't make it to board meetings doesn't mean they don't have an opinion, a concern. So, when <br />my phone is ringing offthe hook it becomes my problem because I represent these people. Once <br />again, he wants to agree with both sides. He does not think it should be the policy of one political <br />body to get into the business of another one. But when his constituents are concerned and are <br />calling him for an answer, then it becomes his problem-both personally and publicly. So, he <br />supports the resolution. <br />Mr. Busa said he wants to address one point made by the audience. He does not agree that his <br />colleague Marquardt is in a conflict of interest. Whether he agrees with his wife on any matter is <br />none of our business. Our business is to make sure he does his business at this body. He has a <br />responsibility to this body. Mr. Busa said he does not care if Mayfield Heights or Highland <br />Heights votes for him.