Mayor Biskupski Should Have a Place at the Board Table !

The Mayor or her Designee Should Sit in Council with the Board

The Mayor or her Designee Should Sit in Council with the Board

Text of Letter to Board President: 

6 January 2016

DELIVERED VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
Ms. Heather Bennett, President
℅ Salt Lake City Board of Education
440 East 100 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Re: Mayor Biskupski

Dear Ms. Bennett,
I am writing to request that you formally invite newly elected Mayor Biskupski to sit in council with the Board of Education, whenever we convene as an elected body.[1]  As you recall, the Mayor expressed her desire to fully participate in our discussions.[2] I for one, am thrilled that the she is willing to partner with the Board Education on this level. I predict that Salt Lake City will become a better place as elected officials seize these types of opportunities for collaboration of ideas and resources.

At last night’s Board meeting, I noted that the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff attended in her stead, yet was not offered a seat at the Board dais and instead sat in the audience. I am not sure if that was intentional or an oversight on our part.

Nevertheless, I recommend that we respond to the Mayor’s aspiration for cooperation between our two governments, by being the gracious host and provide a place (i.e. seat, nameplate etc.) at the Board table for the Mayor or her designee.[3] I thank you in advance for attending to this matter.
Shalom,
J. Michael Clára
Board Member, District 2

cc:  Mayor Biskupski
Mr. David Litvack, Deputy Chief of Staff
Mr. Matthew Rojas, Director of Communications



[1] Board Policy B-2: Local Governmental Involvement: The mayor of Salt Lake City, or mayor’s designee, may attend and participate in board discussions at board meetings.

[2] Salt Lake City Board of Education Meeting 12/21/15

[3] Utah Code §53A-3-409. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS – A school district board shall allow an interested mayor… and interested to attend and participate in the board discussions at a school district board meeting…

PDF Version of Letter

 

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