With reference to the councillors’ letter concerning county schools, we publish the response of Dariusz Kwaśniewski, head of the county.

Bolesławiec, 11 December 2015

Mr Józef Król,
Mr Władysław Bakalarz,
Mr Janusz Puzio,
County council members,
Dear Sir or Madam…

Gentlemen,
the so-called “open letter” (of 9 December 2015), in which you express your concern about the situation in county education, surprised and saddened me at the same time. I admit that until now I had regarded you as a substantive and constructive opposition in the council. It happens that we do not share the same view on matters concerning our county, but essentially this has always resulted from substantive differences, which were explained in the course of factual discussions during council sessions. This time it was different. Your conduct is all the more peculiar because the letter—addressed to me—was made public before I had an opportunity to read it. This statement, which you of course had the right to make, violated certain customs functioning in our council—customs that had until now been so close to us. So be it.

For this reason, on behalf of the county executive board, I will respond to the proposals expressed by you, while regretting that the statement contains primarily opinions and assessments. There are decidedly fewer facts and less knowledge of the subject. I will not argue with the claims that those managing county education made mistakes that led to a dangerous situation, because there is no such situation. Nor will I argue with the claims concerning decisions to change the county education system, which I will address in a moment. This part of your letter—the creation of an atmosphere of concern—is not only unjustified, but also inelegant and, in my opinion, embarrassing. Some say it is politics, others that it is politicking—I am not the one to judge. I leave that to the readers.

Dear Sir or Madam,
let me therefore recall the basic facts. The discussion concerning the need to carry out
investments that are priorities for our residents in the coming years was discussed in great detail as early as the September session of the county council. During a discussion lasting nearly three hours—while considering the need to reconcile the “interests” of various areas of the county’s statutory responsibilities (hospital—roads—education)—the county councillors UNANIMOUSLY (which I particularly emphasise!) decided not to build a new complex of special schools and institutions, because ultimately no funds from the so-called EU funds were allocated for this purpose.
The authors of the letter particularly strongly emphasised that resolving the hospital’s problems was more important than the special school issue. That the hospital was more important than education. We discussed this at length, declaring our cooperation in resolving problems concerning both healthcare and education. We also unanimously concluded—after a difficult but valuable exchange of arguments—that the issue of a new location for the special school would be submitted to the council at the appropriate time (no later than the end of the first quarter of 2016). This work is proceeding according to plan.
I would also remind you that at the November session (26 November 2015), during which a report on the performance of educational tasks was presented, you did not engage in a substantive discussion. You noticed no threats, celebrating the successive successes of county education. I am therefore surprised that shortly afterwards a letter was published in which you asked about matters that had already been explained. But very well. Perhaps sometimes, and for some people, matters need to be explained twice or more. I will do so both for you and for the public interested in the subject.

For greater clarity, I present the most important information in points:
1. The county executive board and I, as head of the county, undertook to propose a new location for the special school to the county council, and we also specified when the proposal would be presented (January–February 2016). I emphasise that the deadline has not passed. In one of the options, it could be located in the existing buildings owned by the county (for example, in one of the schools). I emphasise once again that no decision has been made in this matter! Appropriate audits and analyses are under way, concerning—as is obvious—demographics, finances, labour-market needs, students’ expectations, and so on. Disseminating any information about the alleged closure of any school (e.g. ZSB) is an expression of incompetence and bad faith. Most importantly, it is simply untrue.

2. On 1 December this year, during a conversation with the Mayor of Bolesławiec, I raised the possibility of cooperation between the County and the City concerning our special school. The Mayor refused to transfer, exchange or sell any property in Bolesławiec where we could locate the special school. He considered the matter closed. I understand this position. As a rule, each local-government unit should handle its own affairs. So be it. The County does not need assistance from the municipal commune in managing education.

3. During the same conversation, I presented the Mayor with arguments explaining why, in our opinion, it is neither possible, advisable nor sensible to transfer to one of the communes the county’s statutory responsibility for providing upper-secondary education and special education. I recalled the reports on our achievements and the high quality of the county education system, repeatedly presented by objective institutions. Achievements surpassing the results obtained by city schools. These are generally known facts. I also proposed possible assistance from the County in helping the Urban Commune of Bolesławiec deal with the forthcoming reform of Polish education and the abolition of lower-secondary schools, other than by transferring schools. We will discuss these matters as partners.

4. I also proposed that the Mayor of Bolesławiec hold a debate on municipal and county education in order to present all the details of possible cooperation, but the Mayor did not accept my proposal.

5. The financial situation of county schools is good. However, we want to modify the existing school network in order to spend public funds allocated to educational and extracurricular tasks even more rationally. This is a response not only to the demographic situation monitored for many years, but also to growing competition on the local educational-services market (non-public schools for young people, including plans for a “Piarist school”). After all, a principle of good management is to anticipate forthcoming problems and prevent them in advance.

Dear Sir or Madam,
I emphasise once again: no decisions have been made regarding the relocation or closure of schools. No such decision has been made and none will be made without the county council. Moreover, in order to increase the participation of all councillors and representatives of interested communities, we will apply an exceptional consultative procedure: the decision will be preceded by an open discussion at joint council committee meetings, as well as a debate before the council.
Let me remind you: it is the council that adopts a resolution of intent; opinions are then sought from all interested external entities, and only after considering those opinions does the council adopt a resolution to change the school network. There is therefore plenty of time for a substantive and balanced discussion.
All experts, including the authors of the letter, will be able to speak. I am already looking forward to a substantive discussion during the debate.

I appeal to you, as councillors, not to create a false atmosphere of danger, seek cheap sensation or give free rein to your political temperament. Matters important to our students and parents are more important than the desire to gain media attention. As councillors of the Bolesławiec County Council, we owe our residents prudence and professionalism. I trust that my response will return the discussion to the proper course, in accordance with the procedures established by law.

Yours sincerely,
Head of Bolesławiec County
Dariusz Kwaśniewski