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Do we have a common goal? A recent missive sent to readingtonparents.org by a person irritated with articles on the website pleaded: “If you are this unhappy here, please move! This has been a wonderful community until recently… Many people are happy with the progress attempting to be made here.” The same day, an email came in to readingtonparents.org that stated: “I have been reading your site information and e-mail notes and am glad to hear a voice that is questioning some of what is happening in the district. I think it is healthy to hear from all sides. Unfortunately not everyone feels that way and legitimate concerns are then taken personally and the emotions start to get out of control.” What are we—the Readington school community—aiming for, anyway? Is there some common goal around which we can rally? Is there enough good will in our collective being that we can reach across the table to start a dialog, or at least agree to disagree when necessary? Over the past months there have been voluminous contacts between readingtonparents.org and those in our school community, including parents, teachers, administrators, board members, residents, students, and even people from other communities interested in the same issues. Many of these emails, phone calls and conversations have raised excellent and sobering points. We can share some examples. Noted one Readington resident: “In my mind, "thinking critically", "critical thinking", "lifelong learning", "community of learners" and any other descriptive phrases should be the basis for exactly the kind of conversation the Board is supposed to be having with the Superintendent, the staff, the public and the kids. Board members may not be educators by vocation, but they are educators by law, and are charged with being advocates for the kids - not the parents, not the taxpayers, not the Superintendent, not the staff, but the kids.” A parent in a different Hunterdon County school district conferred about similar problems as those in Readington, writing: “So many parents have spoken to me behind the scenes since, in small town, people are wary of speaking out publicly, yet I feel that we as parents must speak out collectively or else our children will continue to be scapegoats to forces beyond their control.” A Readington parent who has strong friendships in the township wrote: “When we decided we were ready to move and had the need for a larger home we did not consider Readington as the place to purchase our next home. Why? The number one reason is the school.” Another email came in months ago from a person considering a move to Readington, but concerned about the testing controversy and the morale of teachers. This person is a high level employee of another school district, and wrote: “Why this level of testing for young children? When did all of this start...and, confidentially why is this happening? What do the teachers think of this?” Teachers have had both verbal and written contact with readingtonparents.org, though some have written with concerns too specific to quote here. One email did relay the morale of some teachers: “…I know that I am not the only one feeling this way. We get absolutely no respect from our principal and now she is threatening teachers with their jobs if they do not participate in activities outside of the school hours.” Over the months since September, there have been hundreds of emails and phone calls about the issues raised on this website. Some of the most interesting will not be quoted here because they are too specific and would identify the author. The subjects have ranged from standardized testing, to special education, to curriculum, to teacher morale and teaching conditions, to specific incidents with children, to problems with administrators, to the board of education, and more. If there is a recognizable pattern to it all, it is that many stakeholders are disturbed and disappointed in the lack of a mechanism to make their voices heard and to solve their trouble. Further, they are dismayed to learn that their voices are sometimes bluntly ignored by the very people charged with making or keeping things right. So, is the opportunity for a dialog passed? As of this writing our existing Superintendent has been rehired with a salary that few would find insignificant. A departing board member has been replaced with a political insider. Three other new board members will be voted in shortly, and all will be new faces to the official district organization. A new business administrator will begin work. Members of the administrative staff are likely to change for the next school year, due to retirement and other factors. The teacher turnover rate continues to be worrisome. Will these and other changes help or hinder the communication with stakeholders? Will they result in a new path toward resolution, or will these changes merely muddy the waters anew? Perhaps it is time that we take a deep breath, stoop down to pick up our worn tools, and get back to work again. Our rehired superintendent must put an end to the petty insider shenanigans. The theory of “management by walking around”, made famous by the founders of the Hewlett-Packard company and others, is one that our superintendent might now embrace. She must also find the middle ground on some of the issues, like testing, that have not yet been addressed. Our administrators must make an extraordinary effort to regain the trust of our teachers. Those teachers must, in turn, learn to speak up for their convictions without fear of reprisal. Parents and residents must find the means to communicate to each other and to the administration in a voice that is constructive and practical without being accusatory. Parents and residents must also make a special point to get to the polls on April 19. Anything less is hypocrisy. It is possible to set the stage for a healing and evolutionary 2005-2006 school year. Our children deserve no less. Readington schools are staffed by some very bright people, the district is well funded in comparison to most others in New Jersey, and the residents and parents involved in the district make up a group of exceptional, well educated and well-intentioned people. Only hate and fear and ignorance could carry away the success that should belong to our children. Our common goal should be and can be to reach for the genuine dialog that has been missing for some time. Is this too much to ask from our community? |
