Herschlag: No to City Councilors on School District Commission

An article in Patch, has Ward 3 City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic quoted as saying it’s “an oddball thing” running for the Concord School District’s Charter Commission. What’s really oddball is her stating in the article the charter commission “must include a voice for the parents of Merrimack Valley School District students”.

What am I missing here? Is there some sort of hidden oversight between the CSD and MVSD, that the CSD controls? Does she realize that those who send their children and pay their taxes to the MVSD don’t vote for the CSD Charter Commission or any other issues related to the CSD?

A sitting councilor running for a seat on a charter commission is an issue that comes under even if you can, should you. The city charter states in part, the following:

14. Qualifications.

"...Neither the Mayor nor Councilors while serving as such, shall be eligible to hold any other municipal office except that Councilors may serve as Mayor Pro Tem."

Even if it should be determined being on a city charter commission is not the same as holding a municipal office, the intent is clear. While city councilors can be appointed to city boards as representatives of the council, being appointed as a stand alone member of a city board can be problematic.

An article from the NH Municipal Association expresses their concerns for elected officials serving on municipal boards. https://www.nhmunicipal.org/town-city-article/multiple-board-memberships-serving-more-one-board-same-time. And let’s remember, Kretovic would not be appointed to the charter commission, it is an elected position.

City politics is incestuous enough as is. Now we have a sitting city councilor who can’t help but poke her nose into school board issues. How will she deal with the question - when it comes up - should the city council have oversight over the school board, similar to other communities? Will she be voicing her opinion or will it be assumed she is speaking for the city council?

Kretovic voiced concern when on August 10, 2018, I wrote an op ed piece for the Concord Monitor supporting our secretary of state. She stated that it appeared I was speaking for the council, even though my first sentence was “Here’s what I think”. In fact she and Councilor Todd suggested that I be brought before the ethics committee for voicing my opinion. For something private citizens and elected officials do all the time, voice their support for a candidate.

Yet Kretovic is willing to place herself in a much more precarious position. While the school board and the city council are both assumed to be working to provide quality services to the residents of our city, it isn’t unusual to have them competing for funding from the same resources. Your tax dollars. If both parties received all they wanted, your taxes would be even more unaffordable than they are now. So whose interests will Kretovic be representing? Will she be representing the interests of the CSD or the city council?

A person cannot serve two masters. Regardless if one sees this as a conflict, an issue of compatibility or just plain wrong. A current member of the city council should not be a member of the school charter commission. A commission that is able to suggest items the city council can have oversight on.

On how many issues that may come before the CSD Charter Commission would (should) Kretovic recuse herself. How often would it be necessary for her to remind the commission and the public that she is not speaking for the city council.

It seems to me Kretovic is more interested in padding her resume for a future run for mayor than considering what is best for Concord.

There are many who live in the CSD who are more than qualified to represent their neighbors on the Charter Commission. Those who do not need to decide which master they are serving and where their loyalties lie.

I hope the voters in Wards 1,2,3 & 4 are able to find and support a candidate who understand the Concord School District Charter Commission has nothing to do with the Merrimack Valley School District. That shouldn’t be too hard.