- December 24, 2024
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School Board members are confused by their rapport with Oliva
Dear Editor:
I, like many who either watched the Dec. 17 School Board meeting in person or online, found the end of the meeting awkward and uncomfortable. Some have even said it was disturbing.
For those who haven't watched, you can go on the Flagler Schools website and watch it, but the following will give you the gist. It seems that the board has a problem separating the familiarity and rapport they have with Jacob — I mean, Mr. Oliva — and doing the work for which they were elected.
Mr. Dance started the conversation by suggesting they discuss just appointing Mr. Oliva to the superintendent position because the expedited search process was going to be too difficult. It was a blatant effort to show public support.
First, it is obvious to almost everyone that Mr. Oliva is most, if not all of the board's favorite candidate, so Mr. Dance's endorsement was hardly necessary. Second, it would be too hard? Really?! Lastly, you didn't "find yourself in this difficult situation,” you created it when you decided to pursue your succession plan and didn't budget for a search.
The familiarity was akin to friendship when four of the board members repeatedly referred to Mr. Oliva by his first name. Now, I am all for being friendly, but when those same four wondered aloud whether Mr. Oliva should be present during the conversation and then none of them respectfully asked him to leave?! In my 20-plus years of management experience, I have never seen anything quite like it. It was exceedingly unprofessional to have the subject of the conversation in the room and virtually impossible to have a candid discussion.
In the future, Mr. Oliva should have the presence of mind to excuse himself (especially if he hears it four times), or the board should ask him to remove himself during the search committee updates or any discussions concerning the search.
If the School Board can't handle an uncomfortable human resources situation, what the heck are you going to do when a real emergency arises? Why does it seem that our district always reacts to situations instead of being proactive and get ahead of a crisis?
Are there no rules, policies or common sense procedures and accountability in place, so that when situations arise they are controllable? What kind of lesson would you be teaching to our students and your voters if you just say, "This is too hard. Let's just take easy way out"? Mr. Oliva is doing a commendable job as assistant superintendent by filling Mrs. Valentine's role in her absence. He has been assuming more responsibilities in the past year in preparation for a "seamless transition" to the superintendent position, as per the succession plan.
The question is, with all due respect, would we not have all these changes take place if Mrs. Valentine had not had a stroke? Methinks the difficulties are greatly exaggerated. When it comes down to it, although Mr. Oliva may be a really nice guy and is doing an admirable job, he is just doing the job he was hired to do. That is the point of having a second in command — to share in the work and fill the role if a situation arises. Mr. Oliva should not be rewarded with a promotion by just doing his job and surely should not receive a stipend for assuming a role and responsibility that is already in his job description. Let the search run its course, and if he is indeed the obvious choice for the position, then his securing it will be his reward for a job well done.
Paul Anderson
Palm Coast
Why are they asking Valentine’s opinion on her own contract buyout?
Dear Editor
Is anyone else as flummoxed by this superintendent issue as myself?
In the first two paragraphs of the front-page coverage on this supposed dilemma, there was contradictory information, i.e., paragraph one clearly said $18,000 is required to buy out Valentine’s contract; and then, just as clearly, the second paragraph iterated that the board took no action because they didn’t know how much a buyout would cost. Huh?
And then, in a conciliatory fashion, gave credence to Valentine’s “feelings” about ending her contract. Huh? Not to be hard-hearted, but that simply makes no sense.
In the meantime, Assistant Superintendent Jacob Oliva is holding down the fort but seems to be not considered as a replacement. Huh? And if Valentine’s contract runs its course, Oliva will be responsible for the running of the district through the school year, but not considered as a replacement. Huh? The board seems to be united in its effort to conduct a headhunter search for a superintendent out of the county. Huh?
I could have missed a segment in this ongoing saga, but so far it appears to me it’s about union contracts and little to do with the efficient running of our school district.
Shirley Carter
Palm Coast
