Turmoil in the political structure of our schools is not new – the greater Racine community has a long acrimonious history with its schools, most likely starting with the formation of a unified school district. Perhaps I am not the best person to reflect on the past since I was only a child when the school strikes in the 70s happened. When the teachers turned to the Blue Flu tactics in the 90s, I was an adult but did not yet have children in the district. As such, my interpretations may be slightly off the mark.
The way I see it is this – if we cannot learn from our past, we are doomed to make the same mistakes again and again. Anyone who understands the current climate of RUSD knows that this is not the first RUSD board that is dysfunctional. In the 90’s we had a board that micromanaged every proposal administration made – there were even numerous censures of board members. Clearly the leadership of that board added to the Blue Flu Epidemic of 1998. Obviously, no one wishes to repeat this ugly saga.
Because the board does not want to repeat the mistakes of former board members, our Board of Education has taken a hands-off approach for fear of being accused of micromanaging. Here lies the conundrum, having a hands- off approach is not the solution either. As with most problems, the true solution is most likely a compromise of sorts.
Having the board micromanage the district is not the answer.
Giving the superintendent free reign without accountability (and yes, that may include some critical comments/concerns) is not the answer.
The stakeholders in this community need to work together and find the right answer or we are doomed.
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4 comments:
I'm generally a supporter of Racine's public schools, not necessarily the entire district or administration, but the folks who are on the front lines like teachers, teachers' assistants, and principles but this school board drama is really embarrasing.
There has been so much immaturity exhibited on the board that i don't see how anyone can take them seriously...
I agree Brenda. Its a tale of two extremes. We need that "happy medium". Unfortunately, for that to happen we need to have "compromise", and this board is brimming with too much ego and agenda for that to happen. So we're just left here stuck in the mud, spinning our wheels, accomplishing nothing; and "yes" it is embarrassing.
This is off the topic, but I saw in today's paper that Linda Flashinski is running for the open Trustee seat on Caledonia's village board. I would like to know did Dr. HIcks encourage her to do this? Was it the Public Consulting group? It had to be someone in RUSD who asked her to run.
RUSd did not care about us at all until we started talking about breaking away from them. Now they have their "retired administrators" running for village seats. Coincidence? I think not. Linda, stay retired. RUSD, let us go.
The whole Linda thing is rather suspicious to anyone paying attention.
Perhaps she has some free time now that she is retired and there really isn't some kind of conspiracy.
Yeah right...
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