Not to belabor the issue of the new community member appointment to Hildreth Elementary School Council, but I feel that Cindy Buhner’s letter (Press, July 1) not only fails to address concerns Willie Wickman expressed in a previous letter, but it also raises new questions about the appointment. I agree that Debbie Ricci is well qualified and would be an asset to the HES School Council. My quarrel is with the process by which she was appointed.
Until its last meeting of the school year, after the appointment had already been made, the council as a whole was unaware of an effort being made to appoint a second community member. There was no discussion of process or timing. It’s hard to understand why there was a rush to put a new person in place, rather than waiting until the new principal, Linda Dwight, could make an appointment herself.
Cindy Buhner states that Suzanne Mahoney is well qualified to choose a community member. I agree. However, it is my understanding that the principal chose not to exercise her exclusive right to select a community member. At that point the correct process would have been to accept that decision and take no further action. Instead, an appointment was made. To argue that Linda Dwight “has approved of the choice” is unpersuasive. How could she have done otherwise?
My concern is that, for the good of the town, all boards and committees need to follow an established process and be open and inclusive in their actions.
Carlene Phillips
Community member, HES School Council
