A Reader Writes... Consolidation - Part 3

In response to the 8/16/12 post, “Consolidation – Part 2,” a LYS Superintendent writes:

SC,

Great response and I love your answer. But how do we overcome this dilemma and expose the far right's agenda and their hijacking of a political party to the public?  

After witnessing the 15% rule fall this past spring it looks like "Mad Mommas" are the best way to grab the legislature's attention.  How do we get parents to understand how public schools are being dismantled? Like the original reader, I am frustrated. It feels like the continuous effort to fight for public education against this hostile agenda continues to take away from our mission of ensuring that our students learn and that they are prepared for their future. 

SC Response

As the pendulum continues to swing to the far right I think we have three choices.

1. Do nothing, say nothing.  Which is the polite thing to do.  And as a group, educators are polite, to the detriment of the profession.

2. Assist in the push to the right. You would be surprised at the number of educators who complain about the current situation yet continue to vote for those causing the situation. I find this maddening.

3. Purposefully educate and communicate.  Whether we realize it or not, people look to us to explain things.  When we do, “Mad Mommas” get fired up.  When we do, bonds elections are successful. When we do, good things happen for our schools.

Does this take away from the mission to educate students? Dr. Richard Hooker would argue that as Principals and Superintendents, not leading your public allows the mission of public schools to be determined by those who care nothing about the welfare of children. He could not be more correct. If only I listened to him when he first tried to teach me this back in 1992.

It boils down to this. We, as school leaders, must step up and educate the adults in our community if our teachers are going to have a fighting chance to educate the children in our schools.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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