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Teachers’ association representative urges board to follow policy amid staffing and program concerns
Summary
Mary Anne McGorry, speaking for the PEA, asked the board to apply its own policies and Robert’s Rules consistently, raised concerns about job losses tied to budget constraints, and questioned why a lengthy public presentation at a recent work session was allowed without documentation in the record.
Mary Anne McGorry addressed trustees during the public comment portion of the meeting, identifying herself as speaking on behalf of the PEA and urging consistent application of board policies and Robert’s Rules.
"These policies exist to ensure transparency, fairness, and trust in the decision making process," McGorry said, and she asked trustees to explain documentation referenced at a prior work session related to an Irving Middle School track discussion. She told the board an audience member had been allowed to speak for 37 minutes at the work session about a new program and asked where the supporting documentation and emails mentioned by a trustee could be found in the record.
McGorry also described financial strain facing staff: she said budget constraints will force position reductions next year, noted that new programs such as PV Tech and the online high school were recently added and need time to mature, and asked the board not to add further programs that would draw FTEs and budgets away from already stretched schools. She offered to serve on committees requested by the board (calendar review and trimester/semester study) and said she will return to classroom teaching next year, describing a workload that could put her in front of more than 400 students in a single year.
Her comments were followed by a public comment from Travis Bell, who spoke about athletics facilities and maintenance; trustees thanked both speakers and proceeded with the agenda.
