As I’m writing this, I’m waiting for the Fort Worth school board to come out of an executive session, after which the board will officially name an interim superintendent. Sitting next to me is a community activist.

During these breaks, it’s common for conversation to fill the gallery. Reporters will catch up with each other and community groups will talk about upcoming events.

It’s an opportunity for us to learn about each other. For instance, the community activist and I use the same dry cleaners.

Frequently, I post hypothetical conversations on this blog that I think would be very funny. The following is an actual exchange that occurred between this woman and me.

“People need to do a better job scratching each others’ backs,” she said.

“I understand,” I replied. “But I’ve lived in some cities where people don’t work together at all. Since I moved to Ft. Worth, it seems like people are at least more willing to work together toward a solution.”

“Really?” she replied. “I like to hear that. People keep trying to scratch their own back even in a big crowd like this.”

“Yeah, you’ve got all these different groups. Each one is pulling the district in a different direction, but that’s okay. Everyone has a different perspective. You can’t have a large, urban school district without a lot of voices,” I said, quite pleased with myself.

“But that doesn’t always mean you’re going to help someone out,” she answered.

“That’s true, but look at Dallas. When I was over there, we’d have meetings that would last well into the night,” I recalled. “And it wasn’t productive. It was just people demonizing each other because they don’t think the same way. Now, they’re looking at dumping the school board entirely and switching to that home rule system.”

“How’s home rule supposed to help a man scratch his back?” she asked, slightly more pointedly.

I thought that was kind of a tough question, but I was willing to stick with this “scratch a man’s back” allusion.

“I think the argument for home rule is that with less state oversight, the people of Dallas could scratch each others’ backs without the outside interference.”

“But his back still itches!”

Suddenly, a thought dawned on me.

“Wait, are we talking about metaphorical backs or actually scratching each others’ backs?” I asked.

“I’m talking about that man over there trying to scratch his back on the side of that door,” she explained. “Look at him. There’s plenty of people over there who could help that man out! If people were willing to help each other out like you say they are, why isn’t anyone scratching that man’s back?!”

Maybe I was wrong. She looked a little disappointed that after this entire discussion, the Ft. Worth ISD still struggled to find a leader who was accepted by the entire community. I was a little disappointed to know that guy’s back was itchy.

Sometimes there are no easy answers.