Elected, Appointed, Transparent, Accountable

Back from vacation.

Taking a few harried moments from nursing my daughter after her adenoidectomy.

My head's spinning a bit, though, and not just because I'm tired.  I posted a (long) comment on the Watercooler the other day relating to the heated debate swirling around elected vs. appointed Board of Ed.  Resident Pegi Adam has organized an effort to abolish the current system wherein the mayor appoints the Board so that we may vote for members instead.  Many citizens, including current parents with kids in school, support this. 

Here's my post:

There are so many incredibly intelligent "sides" to this debate, I'm almost too intimidated to post here!   After reading about this issue for weeks, not wanting to dive into the debate because I just wasn't SURE how I felt, I do now believe that an elected board will probably help parents (and taxpayers?) feel more "heard."  But maybe just a little more.

And that, I think, is what I this seems to be all about.  Not feeling heard.  Over and over again, people on both sides of the issue cite transparency and accountability as key reasons for this possible change.   And, as a parent fairly new to the "system," but not to education (I was a teacher for years, wrote about teachers for years, teach up-and-coming teachers @ MSU, and am a matriculating grad student again in education), I can say very strongly:  It is difficult to feel heard as a parent in the public schools in Montclair.  

I could give personal examples but, frankly, I am scared to do so.  Why? Because I am afraid I'll be "punished" somehow or, worse, my children will be.  It's not that my experiences are so horrible.  It's just that there's this pressure to "go along."  Why?  Because teachers and administrators have incredible power over what happens to our children.  And that power can be used in as many good as negative ways.  (See my blog,www.themontclairbell.blogspot.com for more on this.)  

So from whence does this fear arise?  That's the question I have for all the posters here.  Is it because it IS too hard to make change happen in our schools?  Is it because it's impossible to address everyone's needs?  (For instance, some of us believe traditional academics should be emphasized, some believe social/emotional dev't is most important, etc. etc. etc.) Is it because our past history as students so deeply affects us as we deal with educators from the "other side of the desk"?  

I mean, there's the story of the teacher at one elementary school here in Montclair who screams at her students on a regular basis, whom parents have complained about for years-yet she is one of the highest paid teachers in the district. AND SHE HAS TENURE.  The principal says, to a group of parents in a PTA meeting, in effect: "Well, you let me know about any teacher, and I'll document it. I'll make sure something is done." But it isn't.  Parents have been documenting it for years, apparently. (And my child did NOT have this teacher, so I don't have a personal beef here, and don't know the full and total story.  I do know a few parents actually have ended up liking this teacher...so, there's my point about the different values/needs we all bring to the process.)

My point is: Reinvent the BOE all you want...If we do not get down to brass tacks about what prevents us, as parents, taxpayers, and, yes, our kids as STUDENTS in the system (who have next to no say in how they are educated), from feeling HEARD and powerful, it doesn't matter.  It just doesn't.

Furthermore, why is TENURE not being debated here?  Big things are happening around that issue elsewhere, e.g. in Washington, D.C.  But why don't I hear about that at all here?  (Or maybe I missed that discussion?) I'm not saying tenure should go--I understand why it exists.  But shouldn't it at least be debated??????  

I'm interested, truly interested, in hearing about parents' DAILY experiences of being listened to (or not) by our educators.  I'm getting the feeling that at least some folks do NOT feel empowered by the schools, and that is something worth exploring.  There are many ways schools can address this issue, from the more complicated (e.g. elected BOE) to the simple (getting ALL teachers on email, from kindergarten and up).   

Another place to start:  Figuring out whether BOE folks, teachers, admins, read THIS forum.  If so, it'd be good to know.  If not, why?  

Well, I heard personally from a lot of people on the topic, including acquaintances who've had a hard time navigating the system, and those who think it's fine as is; former neighbors on one side of the debate or the other; and BOE members who offered to meet with me on the issue.  As I stated in my post, I'm personally less concerned about whether the board is appointed or elected, and more concerned about the overall accountability and responsiveness of our schools in general.  But it sure is an interesting topic!

I am hoping I can get these folks to post their thoughts as COMMENTS on this blog so others can read them.