Dear School Board members,
I happened to have my television on today, and was glad that I did. I was able to listen to Ms. Robbinson, Mr. Blocker and Mr. Collins be interviewed on "Flashpoint" on the issue of the severe budget issues that OCPS is continuing to face. And severe they are, as Mr. Blocker and Mr. Collins described.
As a former school board member who voted for the "flip," (the flip of middle and high school start times) because it was a cost-efficiency and helped shelter the classroom from more painful cuts that they were already experiencing, I write to defend the decision as good precedent, and applaud Chairman Cadle, Ms. Flynn and Ms. Gordon on their votes Tuesday night to not end this effort. It was very unfortunate, although there was mention about the need for data and study, that new school board members casually reversed the "flip," and asserted that there were "other ways" to save money. That night, Ms. Robbinson inferred that those who had voted for the "flip" were negligent and amazingly used an analogy of a national tragedy that caused the deaths of Americans. It was not a negligent decision. It was a practical one that followed much thought and discernment. I respect those who disagree with the decision, but it was not negligent.
The "flip" has already saved the district over $700,000, and substantial capital costs. This kind of efficiency is cumulative; in other words, it saves money every year. This is the kind of efficiency that any private company would put into place without hesitation and make it work. What is most unfortunate is the loss of study to also determine any academic benefits of the flip, such as better attendance and lower tardiness in first and second periods in high school and reinvigorated after-school programs for middle schoolers. It also sends a message to the community- complain enough, and the school board will buckle. That kind of vacuum of leadership is not comforting, especially now.
On "Flashpoint," Ms. Robbinson asserted a populist approach. That can cause good will for a time for some in the community, but it strikes fear in the hearts of those who expect our school district to be governed with sound business principles. It is worthy and beneficial to bring in the community for input, feedback and ideas, but the job of a school board is to make rational decisions and demonstrate strong, principled leadership. Pure populism seldom leads to sound leadership in the long run, especially in tough economic times, because it is often emotion-based, and primarily focused on making everyone happy, seeking political cover or avoiding tough decisions. It can block innovation, create inequities, slow performance and lead to financial problems. It diminishes, and sometimes belittles, the great resources within the very organization that elected officials are supposed to be governing: the expert professionals in education, finance, operations and construction whose jobs are to manage and operate a large, complex school district. If it grows roots, it can discourage good candidates for new administrative positions from even applying in the future, and does not send a good message to our teachers.
In the New York Times this morning, columnist Thomas Friedman writes in reference to several large national issues, "If there is anything I've learned as a reporter, it's that when you get away from 'the thing itself'- the core truth about a situation-you get into trouble." I write now as a taxpayer, citizen and parent- "What is the core truth of a school board? What is the core truth of a public school district?" The answer to the first- setting and maintaining sound policies that ensure ethical frameworks, efficient operations and fiscal health to serve and protect the answer to the second -student achievement; teaching and learning in the classroom.
While politics are a natural part of human nature and human discourse, the populist and parochial kinds of politics can undoubtedly hold back communities and lead to decline in public institutions. And, while serving on the school board I developed a passion for serving children, I did not develop a passion for these kinds of politics that can stand in the way of serving children and the greater good.
My reasons for not running for re-election were strictly personal, and mainly irrelevant to my service on the school board. But, since my passion for serving children has not diminished, it may now be better used in advocacy for our children's best interests and strong, principled leadership by the school board and other elected officials in our community and state. I hold out hope that this vote was an anomaly and is not the beginning of a pattern, and that new school board members will seek to understand the complexities of public education, find shared values with other school board members, and work collaboratively, cooperatively and respectfully with each other and the school district's administrative team to maintain "A" level performance in academics, finance, operations and construction, and take it to the next level. Our children and community deserve no less.
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Additional note: There is great fear among teachers of the arts, world languages, Advanced Placement, career/tech and exceptional education. In such dire economic times, their positions and support positions will be even more vulnerable than they already are now if the new school board does not act responsibly and courageously. Deep losses in these areas affect not just the teachers, but, most importantly, it affects the full education of our children.
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8 months ago