THE ISSUE Some members of the District 113A Board are frustrated over how Janet Hughes conducts herself at meetings.

OUR VIEW Hughes should take training offered to new School Board members and make sure she’s prepared to act on agenda items.

SPEAK UP
Should training for newly elected school board members be mandatory in Illinois? Comment on this editorial at mysuburbanlife.com or e-mail us at opinions@mysuburbanlife.com.

It looks as though the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education is not a happy family.

Some members and residents expressed frustration with board member Janet Hughes for being unwilling to follow established procedures at the Sept. 16 meeting.

She discussed topics not on the meeting agenda, interrupting other board members and not grasping how to conduct herself during a School Board meeting.

On more than one occasion, board President John Wood struck the gavel while Hughes was talking to get the discussion back on track. Hughes also abstained from voting on various issues, giving the indication that she wasn’t fully prepared to take action on these items.

Hughes was elected in April, and she has not received the training that is recommended for new board members. During the Sept. 16 meeting, board member Kevin Doherty said Hughes may comprehend the proceedings better if she found the time to take the training.

If she is unfamiliar with the agenda items before each meeting, Hughes needs to spend more time preparing to participate in a constructive manner. Why go through the process of seeking public office and not participate fully once elected? Board members serve to make judgments about the issues before them at meetings. Spending sufficient time to learn about the issues is a necessity for members to address them properly.

In the meantime, Hughes should go through the training that’s offered. Though not mandatory in Illinois, such training would explain the meeting process to Hughes and help her understand what’s acceptable during a meeting.

To be sure, if Hughes asks a question related to an agenda item, School Board members should address the issue — not call it irrelevant merely to avoid a discussion.

It’s obvious that board members won’t always agree on everything, but they all have a duty to make the meetings fruitful. Be prepared to address the issues at hand, and help others who need constructive advice.