Martin, this is an excellent piece. It won’t fix the national crisis of trust, but it can help shape a healthier environment for one crucial local institution and serve as a model for others in our region to follow.
I’d encourage the School Board to take your closing recommendations one step further by creating two simple posters for public meetings—one facing the Board and one facing the audience—summarizing shared norms of humility, listening, honesty about limits, and respect in discourse. It can’t hurt, and it may meaningfully improve how we interact with one another in that room.
Notional posters
Poster facing the Board (and staff):
We will listen first, ask clarifying questions, and avoid dismissive language.
We will explain our decisions, acknowledge uncertainty, and say what we’ll revisit.
We will correct errors publicly when they occur.
Poster facing the public:
We will focus comments on issues and decisions, not personal attacks.
We will cite specific facts or experiences where possible and be open to correction.
We will recognize time limits and that others need to be heard.
Logical reasoning should be taught as a foundational high school course. We're already a nation of lawyers. Let's own it.
Sounds like we need a podcast called. “America Redesigned for Everyone.” 😊
Martin, this is an excellent piece. It won’t fix the national crisis of trust, but it can help shape a healthier environment for one crucial local institution and serve as a model for others in our region to follow.
I’d encourage the School Board to take your closing recommendations one step further by creating two simple posters for public meetings—one facing the Board and one facing the audience—summarizing shared norms of humility, listening, honesty about limits, and respect in discourse. It can’t hurt, and it may meaningfully improve how we interact with one another in that room.
Notional posters
Poster facing the Board (and staff):
We will listen first, ask clarifying questions, and avoid dismissive language.
We will explain our decisions, acknowledge uncertainty, and say what we’ll revisit.
We will correct errors publicly when they occur.
Poster facing the public:
We will focus comments on issues and decisions, not personal attacks.
We will cite specific facts or experiences where possible and be open to correction.
We will recognize time limits and that others need to be heard.