A Full Set of Facts
Transparency Creates Accountability. The Converse is Also True.
Dear Friend and Community Member,
When faced with decisions, or even just the opportunity to draw a conclusion, there is nothing more important than having a full set of facts. As a trustee, I am morally and ethically responsible for making decisions based upon a full set of facts, and it is impossible to gauge the performance of a trustee (or board) without having the same facts at hand. This is why transparency at the board level is so vital to earning and retaining public trust.
“Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”
—Thomas Jefferson
Translating Thomas Jefferson’s words, it equates to the lack of transparency creating a concentration of power; that We The People are blocked from self-governance if we do not have a full set of facts.
Thinking strategically, providing transparency is the greatest opportunity for community engagement. Presenting the entire picture around an issue or decision for the community’s awareness is the only way to create confidence or trust in a board. If transparency is not offered, there would be no way for you, the public, to understand why certain decisions are made. I have heard public officials say that “the public just needs to trust their elected leaders.” How is trust built without offering a full picture? Without offering their motives, objectives, core values, and philosophy, any trust given would be fragile and shallow (at best).
I write these emails so that you can understand my philosophy, values, and motives. I hope that I am transparent enough for you to actually predict my decisions when you and I have a full set of facts to work with. It is incumbent upon all of your representatives to offer you a full set of facts prior to and during decision making so that you know that the best possible decision is being made. Anything less risks creating the perception that personal agendas drive decisions. It also gives representatives too much opportunity to operate—consciously or subconsciously—from a personal motive. This speaks directly to accountability, both to oneself and to the public—another core benefit of transparency. If you think that these statements are too extreme, what evidence do you have to suggest otherwise?
As we approach the polls this Tuesday, I hope that you have gathered a full set of facts about each candidate on the ballot. The right candidate prevailing is vital to building or restoring trust between the respective institution and the public. This is vital for the success of our students for the rest of their lives. When evaluating candidates, I hope that you have enough information to determine which one shares this philosophy of transparency and community engagement (trust), so that our community and our government institutions can partner as equals to create the world we want our youth to inherit.
The election is Tuesday, November 4th, and the next board meeting is November 5th, at 6:00pm. I hope to see you at both!
Brad Howlett