Now I'm not personally big on sports, but it did interest me to see that OSU just fired its head basketball coach after a several-year losing streak. We can argue this is unfair, that he should have had more chances to improve, that he recently had changed whatever he had done wrong in past years, etc.
This is how things work in the big world: Top people who don't meet goals are replaced.
Did this head coach have a formal evaluation before being let go? (Didn't sound like there was time for one.) I know, he didn't apparently have the same type of employment contract held by Robinson, but that's not the point.
In the real world, when the leader doesn't get the performance out of those she/he leads (for whatever reason), the leader is replaced.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
" Josh's wife"
So two readers have decided I am "Josh's wife" because they've heard her state views like mine. Just goes to show that I am not the only person who has my views! This is making me think maybe I should meet Josh's wife, since apparently we have something in common.
The serious thought here is: My views and situations are not unique to me. There are many people out there who (pick one or more) have young children, avoid board meetings because they leave one feeling enraged and/or feeling not heard, think Robinson needs to resign for healing in this district to even have a chance to begin, think all the blogging by LT is more hurtful than helpful, like and respect Rick Alexander for working toward positive change in this district whether or not we agree with him 100%.
Another serious thought: Like I wrote about speculative comments about LT's identity, I'm not going to publish any more speculation about who I am or who I am not, so no need to submit comments like that in the future.
The serious thought here is: My views and situations are not unique to me. There are many people out there who (pick one or more) have young children, avoid board meetings because they leave one feeling enraged and/or feeling not heard, think Robinson needs to resign for healing in this district to even have a chance to begin, think all the blogging by LT is more hurtful than helpful, like and respect Rick Alexander for working toward positive change in this district whether or not we agree with him 100%.
Another serious thought: Like I wrote about speculative comments about LT's identity, I'm not going to publish any more speculation about who I am or who I am not, so no need to submit comments like that in the future.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Board behavior and other thoughts
A reader has asked about my views on the behavior of Lebanon Community School District board members. I have not attended a board meeting in some months, so I don't have an opinion about behavior at recent meetings.
Given that when I did attend board meetings, it was common for me to read a report of that meeting in the Democrat-Herald and feel I must have been at a different meeting than the reporter, I hesitate to put too much stock in newspaper meeting reports.
What I can say is I attended several meetings when Tom McHill was chair, and several when Rick was chair. My impression was that McHill was arrogant, that Sprenger and Fisher just tolerated rather than heard opinions from the audience when they didn't agree with the opinion being voiced, and that Rick and Josh actively encouraged and listened to parents and community members of divergent views.
That being said, I do think it's in the best interest of all for cordial communication and respect of others with opposing views, whether they are other board members or constituents.
It is interesting to see letters in The Express and D-H now, supporting Robinson and damning Rick. I keep recalling the photo I saw in one of the papers months ago, of a crowd -- a seemingly large crowd -- of folks holding signs and speaking to the board and encouraging members to terminate Robinson.
It seems that shrieks of "illegal" have drowned the voices of reason: It is common now to hear people state so authoritatively and with certainty that Rick and Josh behave recklessly and illegally as board members. The truth is, if you get 3 attorneys in a room you are likely to get 3 different legal opinions. Didn't the current district legal counsel approve the contracting out of custodial services that was later judged to be illegal, costing the district significant money? (I am sure you all will correct me if I am not recalling that correctly.)
How about the district contracting with some other well-respected law firm well-grounded in school law, and letting go of the current attorney who seems to be buddies with Robinson. The district pays this attorney to represent the district's best interest, not Robinson's best interest. It seems to me the current long-time board attorney wants what's personally best for Robinson vs. for our community.
I know.....when Robinson sued Rick and Josh he did hire a private attorney to handle the lawsuit, vs. using the district's attorney. But fresh, competent legal opinions about board behavior would be most welcome.
Given that when I did attend board meetings, it was common for me to read a report of that meeting in the Democrat-Herald and feel I must have been at a different meeting than the reporter, I hesitate to put too much stock in newspaper meeting reports.
What I can say is I attended several meetings when Tom McHill was chair, and several when Rick was chair. My impression was that McHill was arrogant, that Sprenger and Fisher just tolerated rather than heard opinions from the audience when they didn't agree with the opinion being voiced, and that Rick and Josh actively encouraged and listened to parents and community members of divergent views.
That being said, I do think it's in the best interest of all for cordial communication and respect of others with opposing views, whether they are other board members or constituents.
It is interesting to see letters in The Express and D-H now, supporting Robinson and damning Rick. I keep recalling the photo I saw in one of the papers months ago, of a crowd -- a seemingly large crowd -- of folks holding signs and speaking to the board and encouraging members to terminate Robinson.
It seems that shrieks of "illegal" have drowned the voices of reason: It is common now to hear people state so authoritatively and with certainty that Rick and Josh behave recklessly and illegally as board members. The truth is, if you get 3 attorneys in a room you are likely to get 3 different legal opinions. Didn't the current district legal counsel approve the contracting out of custodial services that was later judged to be illegal, costing the district significant money? (I am sure you all will correct me if I am not recalling that correctly.)
How about the district contracting with some other well-respected law firm well-grounded in school law, and letting go of the current attorney who seems to be buddies with Robinson. The district pays this attorney to represent the district's best interest, not Robinson's best interest. It seems to me the current long-time board attorney wants what's personally best for Robinson vs. for our community.
I know.....when Robinson sued Rick and Josh he did hire a private attorney to handle the lawsuit, vs. using the district's attorney. But fresh, competent legal opinions about board behavior would be most welcome.
Monday, January 14, 2008
District Report Card
All us parents of students in Lebanon schools were mailed a copy of the district report card: To quote both the 2006-7007 LHS School Report Card and the district's overall report card, "Federal Adequate Yearly Progress Rating: NOT MET." For the high school, there is an "Oregon Report Card Overall Rating: LOW."
Of special note is the writing assessment: Apparently 39% of 10th graders passed that test, which of course means 61% failed. Even looking only at "comparison schools," those with similar demographics, this year 47% of those students passed, as did 55% or Oregon's 10th graders. Now these are pathetic rates one and all, but how did we do so poorly?
Our other high school scores were pathetic as well: Last year, only 50% of our 10th graders passed the math section, using a new "lower standard" devised this year. Using the "prior standards," according to the report card, only 33% of our 10th graders passed math. Either way, at least half our 10th graders failed the math test!
We can argue that statewide students scored poorly on these tests (though our students scored more poorly). We can argue that the tests are poorly-designed (possibly true -- why not consider a nationally-normed test vs. one we made up in Oregon?). We can argue that this year the computers broke down so tests were given manually which our students aren't used to.
I've seen the comments about how it's only fair to compare Lebanon's poor results with other districts of similar lower socio-economic status. I find those comments insulting and a cop-out by those who want to justify their belief we have effective administrative leadership in this district.
It has been proven time and again that with the right approach and leadership and belief in the community and in the student's abilities, incredible educational gains can be made in schools with lower socio-economic rating than ours. Don't sell our students short.
Now look at the Financial Data section and the dollars per student spent on: direct classroom expenses (below statewide average), classroom support (below statewide average), building support
( below statewide average), central support (above statewide average).
So we are only above or equal to the statewide spending average when it comes to money spent on the district office/administrative support. Where are our priorities?
Of special note is the writing assessment: Apparently 39% of 10th graders passed that test, which of course means 61% failed. Even looking only at "comparison schools," those with similar demographics, this year 47% of those students passed, as did 55% or Oregon's 10th graders. Now these are pathetic rates one and all, but how did we do so poorly?
Our other high school scores were pathetic as well: Last year, only 50% of our 10th graders passed the math section, using a new "lower standard" devised this year. Using the "prior standards," according to the report card, only 33% of our 10th graders passed math. Either way, at least half our 10th graders failed the math test!
We can argue that statewide students scored poorly on these tests (though our students scored more poorly). We can argue that the tests are poorly-designed (possibly true -- why not consider a nationally-normed test vs. one we made up in Oregon?). We can argue that this year the computers broke down so tests were given manually which our students aren't used to.
I've seen the comments about how it's only fair to compare Lebanon's poor results with other districts of similar lower socio-economic status. I find those comments insulting and a cop-out by those who want to justify their belief we have effective administrative leadership in this district.
It has been proven time and again that with the right approach and leadership and belief in the community and in the student's abilities, incredible educational gains can be made in schools with lower socio-economic rating than ours. Don't sell our students short.
Now look at the Financial Data section and the dollars per student spent on: direct classroom expenses (below statewide average), classroom support (below statewide average), building support
( below statewide average), central support (above statewide average).
So we are only above or equal to the statewide spending average when it comes to money spent on the district office/administrative support. Where are our priorities?
No more speculation about LT
So far I've posted all comments submitted here, but want to say upfront now that I don't want to post anymore speculation about who LT is or isn't. We all are curious, of course, and many of us have beliefs about her/his identity, but out of respect for the benefits of anonymous blogging (all of you except Dennis are anonymous, right?), I don't want to pursue this.
Also, it distracts us from the work of frank discussions aimed at improving schools for our students and community. I generally disagree with LT, but LT has a right to his/her opinions and to post them for all to consider. It is hard when it seems LT's posts are damaging to this process, yet LT has a right to remain anonymous just like the rest of us.
I also want to note that I won't try to respond to each comment posted here. I appreciate opposing points of view and at times will respond, but probably will respond less often than I did when I started this blog. But please don't be insulted if I don't respond to your comment or question. Other bloggers might have time to do this, but I do not. I started this blog spontaneously after becoming enraged at some of LT's comments. It seemed there needed to be at least one on-line voice with an alternative perspective, which I seek to offer. It would be great if others would start blogs on this topic, as well. Any takers?
Also, it distracts us from the work of frank discussions aimed at improving schools for our students and community. I generally disagree with LT, but LT has a right to his/her opinions and to post them for all to consider. It is hard when it seems LT's posts are damaging to this process, yet LT has a right to remain anonymous just like the rest of us.
I also want to note that I won't try to respond to each comment posted here. I appreciate opposing points of view and at times will respond, but probably will respond less often than I did when I started this blog. But please don't be insulted if I don't respond to your comment or question. Other bloggers might have time to do this, but I do not. I started this blog spontaneously after becoming enraged at some of LT's comments. It seemed there needed to be at least one on-line voice with an alternative perspective, which I seek to offer. It would be great if others would start blogs on this topic, as well. Any takers?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Movies in the classroom
Now I know elementary-school classes sometimes earn a "party" as a reward for some collective good deed. Special food treats and a movie are fine, but can we make the movies fun AND educational?
Instead of showing "Shrek," can we show one of Scholastic's "The Magic School Bus" entertaining but educational DVDs? In high school, if a substitute cannot be found with enough knowledge of a specialized subject to actually teach (choir, band, French, Spanish, etc.) can an instructional DVD be shown appropriate for the subject, vs. "Pirates of the Caribbean."? OK, maybe a sociology class can put the latter movie to educational purposes, but it doesn't seem that is usually happening.
I have wondered if there are thoughts that disadvantaged students do not get to see popular commercial movies, so this offers them exposure. But this would not be a convincing argument, if anyone made it. More likely it is a busy teacher just getting by. I want to add that I am sure many teachers do include educational movies in their lesson plans, and of course a theater arts class would have a good reason to view a commercial movie for educational purposes.
We need to take advantage of every educational hour available for our students. Do show movies, but please take a moment to ponder their educational value even if it is the last day of school or the day before a major break. Time is wasting.
Instead of showing "Shrek," can we show one of Scholastic's "The Magic School Bus" entertaining but educational DVDs? In high school, if a substitute cannot be found with enough knowledge of a specialized subject to actually teach (choir, band, French, Spanish, etc.) can an instructional DVD be shown appropriate for the subject, vs. "Pirates of the Caribbean."? OK, maybe a sociology class can put the latter movie to educational purposes, but it doesn't seem that is usually happening.
I have wondered if there are thoughts that disadvantaged students do not get to see popular commercial movies, so this offers them exposure. But this would not be a convincing argument, if anyone made it. More likely it is a busy teacher just getting by. I want to add that I am sure many teachers do include educational movies in their lesson plans, and of course a theater arts class would have a good reason to view a commercial movie for educational purposes.
We need to take advantage of every educational hour available for our students. Do show movies, but please take a moment to ponder their educational value even if it is the last day of school or the day before a major break. Time is wasting.
Beeson's opinion in the Lebanon Express
Read the opinion piece in this week's Express (January 9, 2008, page A6), an apparent excerpt of Warren Beeson's comments at a school board meeting. I have two comments about this article:
1. The Express showed it's true colors by deciding to make this into an article, and to headline it, "Board behavior is unacceptable," on the Opinion page. I challenge them to run a similar piece headlined, "Superintendent's behavior is unacceptable." Plenty of well-spoken and intelligent community members have made statements about the need for changes in Robinson's behaviors at school board meetings, but none have become a featured article in our weekly newspaper. The Express favors Robinson vs. the voices for change: Small-town politics at work.
2. If you read the statement and substitute the words "the superintendent," or "Jim Robinson" for each reference to the school board, the comments in the article ring true. Try it yourself.
1. The Express showed it's true colors by deciding to make this into an article, and to headline it, "Board behavior is unacceptable," on the Opinion page. I challenge them to run a similar piece headlined, "Superintendent's behavior is unacceptable." Plenty of well-spoken and intelligent community members have made statements about the need for changes in Robinson's behaviors at school board meetings, but none have become a featured article in our weekly newspaper. The Express favors Robinson vs. the voices for change: Small-town politics at work.
2. If you read the statement and substitute the words "the superintendent," or "Jim Robinson" for each reference to the school board, the comments in the article ring true. Try it yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)