Bob Cox's misgivings about District 209

Proviso Township High Schools (District 209) board member Robert Cox is publicly expressing misgivings about something. Forest Park Review included a news article (right of the main article with background in gray) and a letter to the editor.

Here is an update of my personal perspectives as a BOE member of Proviso 209.

The PTHS board of education "is as what the PTHS board of education does." Our reputation speaks for itself.

At worst our actions, with their generated circumstances that followed, cast a shadow of hypocrisy and double standards. I entertained fears brought on by those distortions and exaggerations of becoming a parody of a healthy school board.

I consider my participation in a recent two day IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) workshop a rehab type of an experience for me. The training did provide a safety net and new bearings for me to anchor to.

Moving forward, one of the biggest hurdles is breaking down the buffers that permeate the public education process. Those buffers extend to the BOE and its process also. Boards have guidelines, agreements and codes to adhere to. Board members have roles, responsibilities, and relationships to honor. Here is where I see a dysfunction manifesting.

Filling a vacancy of a BOE seat is a very important task for all boards. After the results of our decision this past Monday, I am embarrassed for myself and for the BOE. Not for anything personal against Brian Cross, we have history, but for allowing the presence of prejudice. By not taking more time for discussion we eliminated the "discovery" that discussion yields.

I can count on my hand the number of students I have influenced; Linda Howard's career in education as a teacher literally has influenced thousands of students. I do not feel the Proviso 209 board needed another political pundit. How did we lose this opportunity to strengthen our board's weakness in breaking down the buffers with teachers?

To the public that elected me, I wish I could say watch us because we are performing for our students. I am compelled to say watch us because we need your help. I cannot pretend that the board of education's actions and methods are not political any longer. I hope the silent majority of our board will take up the cause for discussion instead of limiting our abilities.

We need to be accountable and data driven in our entire decision making for District 209.

My self assessment as a BOE member is a grade of "F." I contributed to the infamous knowing-doing gap. In other words, knowing what to do but not actually doing it.

I offer no excuse for my past actions. I am committed to do better. I am committed to strive for a healthy board of education that in practice focuses on our students first instead of pretending to do so.

Students first, Proviso first.

Bob Cox
Forest Park, District 209 Board of Education member

If Cox has been "born again" as a reformer skeptical of D209's leadership, what do you expect him to do?