The New Richmond “Code”

I don’t quite know how to put this, but while I sat in on Monday night’s “Open Forum” meeting in the New Richmond School District office I was beginning to believe I had entered a completely different country instead of a different school district. After listening to a number of the citizens sitting in that room, it became clear that the Wisconsin State Statutes didn’t apply there. Apparently in that part of St. Croix County, Wisconsin law takes a back seat and can only be exercised if it’s felt useful by a select group. In the hallowed halls of that District Office, the Code of WASB and NASB are the ruling authority. (I suggest they erect signs along all roads at the school district’s boundary so visitors traveling into the area know they are to abide by this code instead of our state’s laws. That way there will be no confusion.)

It was interesting listening to the opinions of certain board members and citizens as the group went line-by-line down through the list of this “new” code acting as if it were a religion each board member would be required to adhere to. The only thing missing was the big fancy lettering and the phrases “Thou Shalt” and “Thou Shalt Not”. By the time they had completed going through the list and after hearing the commentary, it wouldn’t have surprised me if Moses had been demanded to walk in with a fresh set of stone tablets!

Even though this new code closely matches the old, it seems that just because a different group is in charge that now this new code is to be enforced whereas the old one didn’t need to be. Yes, a few of the words were changed, but is the board really under any obligation to follow it? It was pretty surprising to hear that Mr. Gartner claimed he swore to uphold this code when he took the oath of office. That’s a bit concerning since he’s suppose to swear to support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Wisconsin when taking elected office according to Wis Stat 19.01. Some might like to think it’s different in the land of New Richmond, but I’m pretty sure it’s not. This could explain some of the reason for the amount of divisiveness seen in New Richmond. It might be because some people are following State law while others are following this twisted cult code being called for.

I guess what struck me as most odd was, well, how conflicted and hypocritical they are when it comes to this new code.
For example, where was the outcry when a board member violated the code stating:

avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using this position for personal / private gain.

I guess no one from this select crowd sees a problem with Ms. Skoglund’s conflict here with the charge account being used to purchase gas from her husband’s business.

Or how about this commandment:

Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the school district except as explicitly set forth in Board policies; members’ interaction with the public, press or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the inability of any Board member to speak for the Board except to repeat explicitly stated Board decisions.

Hmmm…. I didn’t hear any tongues wagging censure when then Board Chair Jones felt he could approve raises and increase benefits for administrative staff without a board vote. Where was the outcry then? Or are you trying to say to the public this code doesn’t apply to Mr. Jones and his friends?

I’d like to make a suggestion to the members of the New Richmond School Board as well as to a number of the residents making the complaints about one absent board member. Sit down and read Wisconsin State Statute 120 School District Government. And when you’re done with that, read Wisconsin State Statute 19. Mr. Gartner can begin the reading of 19.01 to re-familiarize himself with his oath and then ask Mr. Jones to take over when he gets down to 19.21 and 19.22 where it talks about open meetings and open records and when they are to be made available. From there, Ms Skoglund can recite 19.59 detailing the Code of Ethics for Local Government Officials, Employees and Candidates. After that, round-robin the reading of SUBCHAPTER V OPEN MEETINGS OF GOVERNMENTAL BODIES. I believe you will, after reading all of these Statutes, have a much deeper understanding of the laws the rest of us expect an elected body to follow and not some “code” baked up by a bunch of people in non-elected positions. If these State Statutes are followed as prescribed, there is little need for some “feel good” code that would seem the only thing missing at the end is the group hug while singing KUM-BY-YA.

Sometime ago I made a post titled “Is it Good Government or Just Good Gas?” I now have little doubt after taking in the air of talk expelled in the room that in New Richmond this question has been answered with it being the latter rather than the former.

No related posts.