Now I don’t know whether the 6.32 percent of the construction cost budget — for athletic field improvements — being asked for by the architectural firm of Westberg + White is the standard asking price.
Is it fair for the preliminary work it is being asked to provide for the School District. I really don’t have to know. That’s what School Board members are elected to do—to determine whether it is fair, and then to vote accordingly.
Percentage of What?
The figure “6.32 percent” doesn’t sound like much until you look into it a little further. You find it is 6.32 percent of $6.65M.
It equals $420,000.
I certainly hope our Board members, before approving this contract, knew more than just the 6.32 percent figure presented. I hope they actually knew that they were approving a $420,000 expenditure.
If they did, then why was the $420K figure not shown in their agenda for the rest of the community to see? The community should not have to search through a contract for the figures in order to calculate the actual dollar amounts being voted on by its Board. The public should expect to be shown the actual amount, in dollars, and not just as some percentage.
Normal Procedure
This may be the way the firm Westberg + White writes their contracts. It may well be the way all architectural firms write their contracts. But the District administration needs to realize the public expects more from its local elected officials.
Transparency Builds Trust
This Board says it wants to build a mutual trust with the District employees and community stakeholders. Building is the key word here. It implies a step-by-step, continuous process.
Old Habits Reluctant to Die
It seems the Board has taken a serious misstep, backwards, in its trust building. The District administration made a serious miscalculation by not openly showing the actual dollar amount of the firm’s contract. But, I guess old habits are hard to break. If this Board is as serious about building its trust as it seems, it should make sure that the public never has to ask for or seek out District transparency. It should be shown, willingly, at all times.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at gmlaase@aol.com
