Letter to the Editor: Thompson Explains His Resignation

Dear residents of North Kingstown, 

Tonight, I will . I feel that those of you who voted for me, as well as those who did not, are entitled to an explanation.
 
The fact is, I would have had to resign at the end of the school year anyway.  My wife announced a few months ago that she no longer wants to live away from our kids and grandkids, so we will be moving to North Carolina next summer, which would have forced my resignation at that time.
 
However, the strange events of the caused me to change plans and make my resignation effective immediately.  I can no longer serve on a body that operates under one set of rules for some of its members and another set for the others, thereby doing a disservice to the taxpayers.
 
One event of Dec. 13 was the chair’s questionable interpretation of Roberts Rules of Order. The agenda called for a vote to reconsider a decision from the prior meeting. The rules for reconsideration state that you cannot move to revote an item unless you were PRESENT and ON THE PREVAILING SIDE the first time. The chairman, assisted by the lawyer, allowed a member who had been ABSENT the meeting before to move the motion, vote that issue again and change the outcome.
 
As a result of the surprising interpretation of Robert’s rules, a $6.4 million dollar bond was passed by the majority.  Additionally, an architect’s letter (which was not released to the public) which originally stated that repairs to school buildings “could” be made was read aloud, but the word “could” was changed to “should.”
 
But, that’s minor compared to the second issue – the violation of the “consent” agenda.  To me, this is the deal breaker.  During my campaign I promised you I would ask questions, and attempt to reduce spending.  If you’ve followed the last year of votes, you know the NK schools are in BIG budget trouble, overspending by up to $1.2 million.  If you took all those big spending votes where other members voted “yes” and I voted “no,” and then reversed their outcome, the schools could be ahead by a million dollars.  In order to slide these budget-busting bills through with no questions or comments, the chair refuses to take items off the consent agenda for public examination.  This means YOU have been deprived of representative government, and of due process.
 
On Dec. 13, I was prevented from asking questions about how your money is being spent, plain and simple.  There is nothing I can do about it.  Even when I get the chance to ask questions, my behavior is characterized as “rude and disruptive.”
 
This isn’t about sour grapes.  I don't mind being on the losing end of a vote, as long as the process is fair.  I believe that elected officials have the responsibility to make sure that the people who underwrite education (that's you) are informed in public about how their money is being spent.
 
To show how important this issue is, I have resigned from the School Committee, and refuse to participate in this rubber stamp form of “representation.”
 
Let me close by expressing deep thanks to the teachers and principals who welcomed me into their classrooms and schools.  They are the true heroes of our town.
 
Farewell, and good luck; it's been a pleasure to serve you. 
 
Sincerely,

Joe Thompson
185 Brookhaven Rd., North Kingstown
Former School Committee Member
401-226-7934