Reflections from Retiring Board Member Traci Trunck

After deciding not to run for a third consecutive term, Vice President Traci Trunck has retired from board service as of November 15, 2021. In one of her final acts as a member of the board, Mrs. Trunck took action to approve the hiring of an architect that will help lead the process of renovations and remodeling at the high school. As is custom with an outgoing member, Mrs. Trunck was asked to provide her reflections on board service and offer words of advice to the new board. Those reflections and advice are included below and have been lightly edited for voice and clarity. 

Following eight years of service, she wants everyone to know that she believes a good board includes those who have a variety of experience, background, and areas of interest. A board that both supports and challenges each other can, and does work well together with the best interests of the kids, district, and entire community. During Traci's time on the board, she shares that every two years, the makeup of the board has changed. Each time, every member has brought different strengths, energy, and passion to the school district. 

Traci wants to makes sure that everyone, especially the new board, recognize that school finance is complicated! It will take new board members at least a year to feel fully comfortable with all the rules and laws of school finance. It is important to ask a lot of questions, read the financial reports, and relying on those who have a strength in this area makes it very manageable! She believes we are lucky to have a superintendent who is very strong in this space and is a great leader for the district. 

Funding is tight and when determining how to allocate funds for improvements, choices always have to be made. The list of what needs to be done is never ending and prioritizing is difficult, especially when there are competing interests. A lot of time is spent on strategic planning for funding and prioritizing projects. At the same time, the board has to account for and consider emergency items that come up each year: because there are always emergencies!

Mrs. Trunck also wants to ensure the community understands the role of the board and what they are elected to accomplish. First and foremost, they are tasked with creating and approving policy. They should be thought of as a legislative body. It is also important to understand that a single board member does not have any more authority than any other community member. The board exercises its authority as one body, and only when a majority of the board has spoken. They are not tasked with running the school district or have authority over the day to day activities of the school. The administration is tasked with the operation of the school district. 

From time to time, board members have to make tough decisions, and as such have access to information that is considered confidential. There is almost always 'more to the story' that the general public won't know and board members can't share. They take their service seriously and take an oath to uphold the law. Because of this, they have to be able to separate emotions in their deliberations and decision making. Oftentimes these result in hard decisions that are based on precedence, policy, strategic direction and the law. She wants her successor(s) to know that they will never make everyone happy, and that is has become further complicated in this polarized environment we are currently living in. 

She considered disciplinary hearings over whether to expel or readmit a student among the most complex and stressful. The decisions require board members to balance the interests of the individual child, other children, teachers and the overall school with the implementation of our policies. These decisions were never easy. 

Mrs. Trunck understands that everyone has an opinion on how decisions should be made in the school. She admits that it is very easy to complain about an issue, but oftentimes the general public doesn't have all the facts that led to the decision that is ultimately made. She encourages stakeholders to get involved and to be helpful. It would be wise to empathize with the stress and pressure everyone at the school is under: including the teachers, staff, and administration. In closing Traci Trunck has this to say: 

"Overall, my eight years of service has been rewarding. We have a great school, administration, teachers and staff that truly care about the kids, district and community. Our district is growing and Hudson is community that families want to live in.  It has been an honor for me to represent this community.   My decision to not seek re-election from the board was not taken lightly; I truly enjoyed being a part of a high performing team and making important decisions that affect the future of our children. Thank you to my colleagues on the board, Dr. Voss, administrators, teachers and staff for everything you do every day to make this an excellent school system."