In response to “OPRF board member apologizes to Community Council leaders after complaint about comments” article [oakpark.com, March 20], it should be noted that the Community Council interrupted its normal agenda and programming — which was to listen to a presentation on OPRF’s mental health and wellness initiatives — so two board members could make a statement with the hopes that our council could try to come to terms with the misinformed comments that were made at a recent District 200 Board of Education meeting.
What our council got instead from our own board members was a non-apology apology and aggressive questioning back to us on why we were offended by their comments — not the way to regain trust. It felt like a silly doubling down high school debate trick.
In addition to offering time for the board members to make a statement, the council also offered to gather in small groups to talk about our purpose (stated in our bylaws), our membership, our structure, and other ways to improve the council. This proved helpful and we look forward to discussing the comments that were made in these small breakout groups.
I am glad the board members and our superintendent were given the opportunity to show us where they stand. And it was clear, they stand with each other and not with the Community Council. If re-building trust was one of the goals of that meeting, let’s just say it did the opposite for me, and I believe others feel the same. One board member did not care enough (or even pretend to care enough) to join in to listen and learn from the small group sessions. Instead, they bent the ear of the reporter for almost the entire meeting; that says it all for me. Message control over participating in the good work the council is trying, albeit not perfectly, to do.
As a four-year member of the council, I will be suggesting we get new board liaison representation, someone who understands and values our purpose, is willing to listen and learn, and is humble enough to admit mistakes or misstatements. It would be a win, win, win, win for the council, the board, the community, and most importantly the students.
Go Huskies.
Ross Lissuzzo
Parent of past and present OPRF students
4-year member on the Community Council