The recent arbitration case, documents of which are publicly available, involving former Rochester superintendent Dr. Robert Shaner is not just a local contract dispute.

Taxpayers are now responsible for a costly payout, but the bigger issue is the precedent it sets: If voters can be punished for choosing independent trustees while superintendents are shielded from scrutiny, who will provide accountability on behalf of the community? What is the purpose of having a school board in the first place?

School boards exist to serve the public, which demands oversight — not silence. In fact, elected members have a First Amendment duty to question and challenge decisions. Of course, boards must protect staff from illegal harassment or discrimination. But dissent is not harassment. If disagreemen

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