Letter: Vote Oldson for Richland School Board

In reviewing the Tri-City Herald’s recommendation for Richland School Board, Position 4, I believe there is a narrative that is missing when serving on a board, and that is exactly why Oldson is the better candidate.

Having served and chaired boards for more than 20 years, it is important to understand that boards are not supposed to manage, much less micromanage, but instead they are to provide prudent judgment, professional skepticism and advise and oversee management on broad issues such as strategy, business models and the overall long-term health of the organization.

A value-added board member must be able to listen to and understand a complex range of issues and then add their own perspective and experience in order to influence and lead the board towards the correct course of action.

Jill Oldson has the patience, intellect and the ability to understand complex problems in a way that will inclusively and positively influence the Richland School Board. Her character, common sense and interpersonal skills are exactly the type of talents that communities should be looking for when considering board appointments for publicly held positions.

Boards need leadership, and Oldson is a leader.

Richland

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 6:36 PM with the headline "Letter: Vote Oldson for Richland School Board."