Knowledge is Power

"Knowledge is power. " As parents and as teachers that's what we tell our kids to encourage them to stay in school and learn as much as they can. Knowledge allows us to control our own lives - to find work that we find personally rewarding, to choose whether to become parents, to explore the natural and social worlds around us, to participate as active citizens in a democratic system.

Lack of knowledge, then, is disempowering. Withholding information is always a power play.


When "communication issues" arise in an organization it's almost never about understanding one another (language differences or miscommunication). It is much more likely to be about who controls the flow of information and to what end. Controlling information is about controlling people.

Even as a board member I often lacked the information necessary to make good, balanced decisions. Information would be parceled out to board members on a "need to know basis." I generally felt we only "needed," i.e., were allowed, to know that which would lead us to a predetermined conclusion. I suppose that is one way of heading off potential dissent but to me it often seemed manipulative and sometimes just dishonest. Prying loose information seemed like a full-time job and I even had to get some information (as a board member, mind you!) through public records requests.

The up-side is that now I know quite a bit more about making such requests. In addition to the requests noted below, I've also asked for a copy of the document outlining the tiered cuts that will be implemented under various budget scenarios. The district has already indicated that they consider this document to be "internal work product" that is exempt from public disclosure (see ORS Chapter 192, section 502). I would argue, however, that the public, and even more so, staff, has a right to know the nature and extent of potential cuts. This is especially true since the document in question has been mentioned in at least two public meetings and one newspaper article ("Central Staffing Cuts Likely," Polk Co. Itemizer-Observer, June 29, 2010). To talk openly about the existence of a plan to cut jobs and then withhold the details from the very people who will be affected seems not only controlling but downright cruel. Should the district refuse my request I intend to appeal the decision to the Polk County District Attorney (see ORS Chapter 192, section 470).

Knowledge is power. Let's educate ourselves.