Published: January 12, 2009 01:40 pm      

DODD: The Bennett breakfast special

I recently shared a breakfast with Dr. Tony Bennett.

As a precursor, I will add that any time I — or any other columnist or journalist — interviews a high-profile person, two distinct discussions take place. Some of the information is always on the record, and in almost every case, some information is off the record.

While not all answers are for publishing, in most cases such information still offers clarity, perspective and successfully conveys where the person generally stands on issues. As is almost always the case, the off-the-record discussion would have made for a much better column.

A subject Bennett felt at ease in discussing was his work on the new building projects in Jeffersonville, Charlestown and New Washington.

Bennett worked very hard in successfully appealing the additional dollars that were going to be cut by the state. His tireless efforts resulted in what he feels was the best that could be accomplished after the remonstrance by local residents.

Coincidentally, it was through his comprehensive actions on behalf of local schools that he first caught the attention of statewide party officials, which ultimately led to him being courted as a candidate for state school superintendent of public instruction. The building projects will be one of Bennett’s legacies, especially in Charlestown, where he fought very hard to get what will ultimately be the Charlestown High School facility.

Another legacy of Bennett — with major assistance from Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall — will be the one-on-one computer initiative, with an ultimate goal of making every kid in Charlestown computer-literate. More will follow on this program in a future column.

It was apparent from talking with Bennett that the current and past school board members often were a fractured entity. While he wouldn’t publicly criticize any specific board member, he would simply state that a good board member would always have the kid’s best interest in mind and not personal or political agendas involved in official actions. He praised the new board members’ efforts and intent.

Bennett explained that under some circumstances, a separate board attorney would be a statutory requirement, such as in personnel issues such as the termination of a teacher. The corporation attorney would act in a “prosecution” role, the Indiana State Teachers Association attorney more in a defense attorney mode, and the board would be much like a trier-of-fact (jury) to be impartial when evaluating the information.

He did acknowledge that Larry Wilder’s hiring was not one that fit the statutory requirement role. The hiring caught him off guard.

“That was a board decision and not a recommendation of the superintendent,” he said.

However, considering the move was made and he had no choice but to accept Wilder in the process, he added that “Larry Wilder has done a very solid job.”

A controversial decision was made to not have an auto mechanics shop at the new Charlestown High School. Bennett thinks that such a course can be offered at less expense and with a much better facility and program at Prosser School of Technology — even with the corporation footing the bill for transportation to and from the school.

In fact, he would have pursued the same plan in eliminating a welding program at Jeffersonville High School for the same reason. New tax laws will necessitate further painful decisions. Any duplication of services should be on the table for budgeting consideration.

Bennett advised me that the public perception of the school board’s voting is not always indicative of the discussions that take place in closed-door executive sessions. He thinks the incoming superintendent needs to be a very strong leader, independent of the board. He believes if that’s the case, Bob McEwen will be a very good board president.

“I have worked directly with school boards since 1992,” Bennett said. “Bob McEwen is one of the best school board members and school board presidents with whom I have had the opportunity to work.”

When I stated that [Athletic Director] Tony Branch supporters thought he was being railroaded, Bennett was emotionally charged and animated.

“Tony Branch is not being railroaded [by the administration],” he said.

He added that he and Principal Steve Morris had met more than a year ago and devised a plan to help the embattled athletic director make things work. Bennett is no longer in the decision process as to how the matter will be resolved

Regarding another cost-saving idea, Bennett pointed out that no other part-time public employee anywhere in the county is given family insurance coverage for $1 per year as the current school board members enjoy. He suggested enough savings could come from eliminating that benefit program to pay for two more full-time teachers in the school system.

An ongoing issue is the land swap in Charlestown in exchange for the city giving up the old city swimming pool to enable construction of a part of the new Charlestown High School. The property in question is located behind Jonathan Jennings Elementary School. A controversy is ongoing regarding the playground. He is no longer involved; however, Bennett did personally favor giving the extra ground in the deal.

I have a strong sense that Bennett is a forward-thinking person and not one to look back with regret or sentimentality. I know many resent the fact that he left after such a short stint as our school corporation’s leader. It is my hope that, in the future, we will appreciate that losing him will ultimately benefit our community in the long run.

Lindon Dodd is an Otisco resident who is a freelance writer and can be reached at lindon.dodd@hotmail.com