As we attempt to follow and inform on the situation Conway Schools faces regarding religious lunchtime visitors, there are obstacles on both sides.
We want to know everything so we can pass along the important parts. That's who we are!
The school wants to protect themselves as they face possible litigation.
We understand that.
In some e-mails we obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, I saw that superintendent Dr. Greg Murry encouraged board members to stop using written communication to talk about the subject - because when they engage in written correspondence, someone like me could read it. (You can, too, if you ask.)
And I do have more than 100 pages of e-mails of discussion on the matter.
But we won't get any more insight that way, and the school has been advised by Liberty Institute, a legal group founded on Judeo-Christian principles that protects religious liberty, to not engage with the press.
In their own time, they'll update us on a need to know basis.
If not for a late night Facebook mention and a couple of curious nerds, this potentially critical issue could still be unknown, and we'd be uninformed citizens and patrons of the school.
Uninformed isn't a dirty word or a put-down, but if you're into being on the up and up - this is where we are.
Comments (23)
Add commentThanks for the update.
It's very sad that they don't want the public to be informed about decisions the school is making regarding issues that affect the community.
HEY
They are taking their time and trying to get it right the 1st time also "I THINK" Dr. Murry is very much trying to keep any sort of lawsuit from happening and wasting tax payer money on that if they just give it sometime until a decision is made. If you want to be that involed in CPS you should have run for a school board position.
Schools should be open
I think the concern of some people is not the amount of time the school district is taking to make sure it is within legal bounds or to prevent a lawsuit, but the lack of transparency school officials seem to want to have based on their emails and dialogue.
I happen to respect the Conway school district board and superintendent. The schools are among the best in the state, based on standardized tests.
That respect does not mean that I don't want to know what is going on. And, you should too.
Not everyone can be on the school board, even if we all run for positions. And, not everyone should have to be on the board room just to understand what the schools are doing, with whom and why.
Schools should be open and upfront about their actions because:
1. Any time an institution believes it can do business, or make policy, with taxpayer money behind closed doors, that institution is more likely to do harm and to be corrupted.
2. Behind-the-scenes policy making and discussions cause mistrust among community members.
3. Schools use taxpayer money. Any action they take should be watched.
4. Schools educate our most essential asset — our children. Parents should have input. To have the best chance to make a good decision, those parents need information.
obviously
"1. Any time an institution believes it can do business, or make policy, with taxpayer money behind closed doors, that institution is more likely to do harm and to be corrupted."
That pretty much sums up Washington D.C.
Again, hating the players and not the game.
The FOIA is a double-edged sword and a glaring example of how laws work and don't work.
Once people figure out how to circumvent the law, the law is obsolete.
Take gun laws, let's say you're going to force background checks at gun shows, well that will just force the illegit buyers and sellers will just agree to meet in the parking lot. Circumventing the laws is the name of the game.
1&2
It worked for Dick Cheney
The Sierra Club and Judicial Watch are seeking records from Cheney's task force, which met behind closed doors. They argue the vice president's contacts with industry leaders were improper while he was developing government policy that benefited their businesses.
The groups said they want to know whether lobbyists for the energy industry privately helped craft the U.S. government's long-term energy policy.
Funny...
you say"I happen to respect the Conway school district board and superintendent. The schools are among the best in the state, based on standardized tests.
That respect does not mean that I don't want to know what is going on. And, you should too"
-yet you go to this extreme to cause public stir about the issue to sort of flex what muscle you have. It's sad that we can't give them time to decide what decision is best to be made here. This is not something that is so simple and it affects the community so why be so quick with a decision. It might take the entire school year to decide but you will get nowhere by just trying to bully them and think you are entitled to know. When a decision is made then you will be entitled to know and since it's a public school district those who do not agree with the decision (which may be me depending on the outcome) can choose to forgo their choice of where to send their kids. Some things I like to know about but to demand information the way you guys do from schools, police, and others is just ridiculous. Calm down and they will tell you what you need to know when the
If by causing a stir
You mean reporting on the situation at hand...
Some people don't want to be hand fed info and blindly accept the truth.
Nice try but...
reporting the situation at hand is one thing. Demanding answers when there are none to be given just so you can misinterpret the words for a better story is another. Not that this paper is notorious for that or anything.
Are...
... are you a cop?
You're a cop, aren't you?
nah
He looks like a helicopter to me. Russian Hind, I believe.