I have read about and listened to board member Charlie Wilson's comments in regard to the board's election of Marc Schare to the position of board vice president.

Although I disagree with many (although not all) of Schare's positions, and personally suffered the arrows (eventually removed) of being passed over for doing many of the things that Wilson accuses Schare of doing, I can't agree with his position that Schare is unqualified to hold the position, nor that he is unqualified for the presidency. No matter what the School Board Association says, individual board members have the right and duty of articulating their independent views.

"Punishing" such members for views possibly discordant with those of other board members does not serve the public well. There is however, another side to this issue. Wilson's comments should be viewed by Schare as cautionary ones for the future. The board president is not only a board member but foremost he/she is the face and voice of the majority of the board.

It is no longer "I think/want" but "The board has decidedÉ" Thus, when accepting the position of president (which very often follows that of vice president) and when speaking in the public sphere, individual agendas must be submerged.

Certainly, board presidents have the right and responsibility of engaging in public debate, but once the majority of the board has taken a position, that is what has to be articulated and not undermined in later pronouncements.

Time will tell if Schare is willing to accept the limitations that come with the position of board president. If not, he and his supporters should accept it when and if he is passed over next year.