Boulton’s closing

Written by Susan Shultz
Friday, 06 November 2009 10:13

Outgoing Board of Education Chairman John Boulton has been described by his allies as loyal with a great sense of humor. He’s been criticized by detractors for having a bit of a temper, something he doesn’t necessarily think is a bad thing.

“I’m passionate about many of my views, and don’t apologize for it,” he said.

The Darien School District is one of high achievement and intense pressure — not only for the students, but for the Board of Education that oversees it.

Whether it be the large portion of the town’s budget or lights on the football field, the board receives its share of criticism but also arguably a high level of reward.

He shared his views from the frontline of that board as he hands over that position this week to Vice Chairman Kim Westcott, who is expected to be voted into the position on Tuesday.

Boulton, who kept the Board of Ed meetings on task with both a sense of humor and a firm tone when needed, said he was drawn to the Board of Education due to his background of volunteerism and politics as well as his work on the Representative Town Meeting’s education committee.

Boulton said he expected a challenge, and got one.

“When you first join the board, you realize how little you actually know. There’s a steep learning curve. Education is very complex. It involves people and there’s no hard and fast measurement that you can use,” he said.

Some people do like to use test scores for that measurement, but Boulton said there’s no profit and loss statement, no final score like a sporting event.

“It is a complicated undertaking — you don’t really know until you get there. And once you get there it is fascinating,” he said. Boulton said the support from the administration helps board members with complicated issues.

“It is a mutual support society. We help them, they help us and the kids are the beneficiaries,” he said.

As stressful as being the head of the school board can be, Boulton said he doesn’t think it is any more stressful than being the head of any other town board, although the nature of the business each board handles is different.

“I think all of the chairs of the major boards have stress. They all have peak periods and low levels. Sometimes we share mutual stress, like during the budget season,” he said.

Boulton has often talked about meetings with other towns’ Board of Education chairmen and found the nature of problems differs from town to town.

He said that he would take Darien’s challenges any day over the struggles facing other districts.

“I think the challenges are clearly different in the Dariens and New Canaans than other towns that are less affluent,” he said.

Boulton said one major difference is that Darien has the resources to resolve issues while other towns do not. Darien’s generosity is such that Boulton said he “spends more time managing the generosity of people in Darien than I do encouraging them to come forward.”

“In other towns, it is the opposite. It is a town that is very demanding, more so than others. The pressures put on the school system are very different because of the high standard the taxpayers have for the schools,” he said.

Boulton said there are “enormous advantages” to being chairman of the Darien school district that “far outweigh disadvantages.”

“I never leave a meeting of board of education chairmen without saying ‘Thank God I live in Darien,’” he said.

In a town that has some well drawn party lines, the Board of Education continues to appear free of that political environment. Boulton attributes that to the fact that education issues unite the parties, but also that he has tried to remain non-partisan to se the example for his board.

He also said it comes down to the quality of people on the board.

“I have to start with a tip of the cap to the Republican and Democratic Town Committees, as they put very high character people on this board. All eight of my fellow board members are very high quality people who put the kids first,” he said.

Boulton said that while there are occasionally times when Democrats might be less inclined to vote for budget cuts than Republicans, but “on the other hand, one of the sharpest pencils on the board is a Democrat.”

He said that his board relies less on “ideology” and more on common sense.

“Let’s face it, both Democrats and Republicans are for a good education,” he said.

Boulton said it is important that the chairman set the tone.

“If I’m partisan, it is going to create a lot of friction and retaliation, and that is not good for anyone. I think that is true of any board in town,” he said.

An example of this is the debate over broadcasting the president’s speech at the start of school.

“Even the Obama speech (decision) was supported down the line by the Democrats on the board. Not because of politics but because it made sense for the schools,” he said.

One of the greatest strengths of the district is the people that make it up.

“The people who run the schools, the administration and teachers, the fabulous group of young boys and girls that our teachers marvel at and really enjoy teaching — they are exceptional kids. Parents who are so involved that they go the extra mile to make the school system great,” he said.

Boulton also said the generosity of the taxpayers is a great plus for the district.

“I make a point every year of thanking the RTM — as the voice of the taxpayers — for supporting the schools the way they do. It is wonderful,” he said.

As far as any weaknesses, Boulton said that the schools need to get a handle on the costs of the special education program or it “is going to eat us alive.”

“We run a great program but we have to contain these costs,” he said.

Boulton had mixed feelings on whether or not the district seemed to be too consumed with sports.

“I can see the reason behind it. People like sports. As your kids get into high school it becomes harder for parents to be part of their lives. Kids are slowly and surely pulling way and sports is a way we can reconnect more easily,” he said.

Another reason for the popularity is that sports helps kids get recruited to good schools.

“One of the challenges we have is to make sure kids who are not athletes can have the same access to top schools — that is a challenge for the guidance department,” he said.

Boulton described the enthusiasm for athletics as “not so much a weakness but a challenge.”

“I think as long as parents keep some perspective. Parents in grade school and middle school can put a lot of pressure on their kids at that point. Kids should be having fun,” he said.

The main decision Boulton said his board made during his tenure that he disagreed with was staying open on Veterans Day. Other than that, barring some budget votes, he said for the most part he did not try to “count the house” before a meeting.

An example is the vote for full-day kindergarten to begin this school year, which drew some objections from kindergarten parents due to the timing.

“I had no idea how the vote was going to go. I hadn’t lobbied. Hadn’t asked. There are times when a unanimous vote is helpful but I thought letting people vote their conscious was important.

Boulton said he does not think there is too much pressure on students in Darien to achieve from the district.

“We provide the choices, and the parents and families need to make determinations as to what course they feel is best for the child,” he said.

In fact, students put pressure on themselves. Boulton pointed out that there are a lot more students competing for the same number of spots in top colleges.

“I’d hate to be trying to get into college right now. It is really tough. These kids are trying to rise to the challenge and we help them as best we can,” he said.

Boulton said he feels the board’s biggest achievement while he’s been on it is hiring the best administrators who in turn have hired great teachers. In addition, he said that the board has really advanced the role of technology in schools and tackled a number of “thorny” issues.

“They weren’t terribly sexy, but were necessary. Athletic fund-raising, high school guidance, full-day kindergarten. But at the end of the day, the most important part is the people. We have a staff I’m really proud of,” he said.

As far as future political aspirations, he said he currently has none.

“I can’t imagine I won’t remain active in public service, but right now I want to take some stock, relax and take some time off,” he said.

Boulton said if something of interest arises in the future, he might take a look at it, but for now he needs to “work on my real job to pay for those college tuitions.”

He said he does feel some sadness walking away from the board.

“Someone asked me if I was going to miss it or felt relieved. I said both. I’ll miss the camaraderie of the board and it is an interesting job, but you get burned out on constantly dealing with the issues that crop up,” he said.

He echoed his words from last week’s board meeting during which he said he had his time at the plate, now it was time for someone else to stand up.

“Kim’s going to do a fabulous job,” he said of his expected successor. “I feel comfortable that the board is going to be in good hands with her and the other returning board members” he said.

As far as advice for Westcott, he said: “Empower your board and they will empower you in return.”

The board will have challenges ahead with tough economic times, he said, but said the board will have great people in the administration to rely on.

“I am confident we have the right people to do it,” he said.

And Boulton also said the board shouldn’t be afraid of controversy.

“Pick your fights carefully, but don’t be afraid to pick a fight when it is the right thing to do,” he said.