Recently, Mike Harvey presented an Op-Ed titled “Unreal Expectations for a School Superintendent.” He was correct to indicate that it takes families to help make the education experience work, but he was also naïve to think that a superintendent is unable to make the system work. Of course, if one were to look at large school systems beyond the borders of our state they may find that our problems are not in any way unique, and that Mr. Harvey may be correct.
Leadership is an integral part of the superintendent’s job, and instilling the superintendent’s mandates through subordinates and making certain that these mandates are carried out is a measure of one’s leadership and administrative capabilities.
In a letter, School Board Member Thurman made clear her desire to blame the present education dilemma on over reliance on education professionals who hold doctorate level degrees; in this case, those mentioned had an Ed.D. Other large school systems outside of the state would indicate that holding a doctorate degree, or not, has nothing to do with success. Using Ms. Thurman’s logic, it is evident that having her, along with past and present School Board members, the school board has failed the people of Hamilton County as well. Using Ms. Thurman’s logic, it’s the individuals involved as head of the HCDE and the failed leadership of the HCDE School Board that should be the focus here. After all, Rick Smith didn’t hold a doctorate degree and we didn’t see any improvement. Of course, this logic fails to provide a clear picture of the problem. Possibly, the selection process of the School Superintendent is flawed and needs some adjustment.
With the instant problem, Rick Smith didn’t need a communications administrator when the Ooltewah High School scandal came to light, he needed to keep his mouth shut until the investigation ended and then announce the appropriate decisions needed to assure the community that their children were safe and rid the school system of those people who facilitated the sexual rapes. Rick Smith made a decision to support subordinates who should not be supported and he did so at the peril of his career. No one should try to make an excuse for Rick Smith for this extremely poor decision. I can assure the reader that this type and level of support is a problem at every level of government, which is simply a serious management error. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen or heard of the HCDE School Board come to the rescue of our children and direct top HCDE administrators to hold school staff accountable. Providing blind support for supervisors and managers does nothing more than weaken an organization, and this is something that needs to end.
To understand some of the present day problems with the foundation of the education system of today, one needs to understand the problem with the system that we have been provided, from a historical perspective. Although there is not enough room in an op-ed to provide this information, it is important to know that our present system is rigid and allows for little, if any, flexibility to serve students from varying backgrounds. We can’t expect a school board to help guide a school superintendent when they are moving through time with “feelings,” “emotions,” and “hope.” This isn’t how this works. Some people will criticize me for writing this, but we, our community, have the proof that this doesn’t work. After all, if this was working I wouldn’t have to take time to write about it.
We have a diverse school board, those with training in higher education and those who do not, and some who obviously feel as though higher education is not important. When we have individuals on the school board who are not trained in higher education as educators, they should seek counsel from those who do before spouting off about things they know nothing about. Another reality is that being elected to a school board position doesn’t make the elected official an expert. Finding a problem with a budget is a lot different than trying to help future adults to be competitive through present day education curriculum.
There is a place for vocational education and there is a place for higher education. We have a serious need for future plumbers, electricians, carpenters, as well as other vocational trades. These trades require math skills that require development in elementary through secondary education. In fact, we see the field of plumbers and electricians fading away. Regardless, we need to be careful not to push children toward one education path when they really should be prepared, or they desire, another education path. We need to be flexible and assist students with their dreams, not our dreams. Students need to dream more about what they want to do when they’re adults. They need to find pleasure, hope, and a burning desire to do whatever is necessary to prepare themselves for whatever occupation they desire in the future. This is how an educator motivates one child at a time.
The position of interim superintendent should be one of a change agent; allowing the interim superintendent to assist the Hamilton County Department of Education through programming and developing a foundation that a permanent Superintendent could build upon or amend to his or her own style of administration. The presentations and background of the present candidates should drive the decision as to who the best candidate will be for the position of Interim Superintendent. And considering the fact that the HCDE School Board includes more than one member, we can only hope that other members of the Board will be speaking with all candidates in order to make a well informed decision.
As a member of this community, some of the goals and objectives that I believe an interim superintendent should work toward while in this position include: (1) examining the budget and work with and assist the director of accounting and budget to determine if there is an approach toward the delivery of education that is more cost-effective while increasing the quality of the delivery of the curriculum to our students; (2) in light of what happened in the sports program at Ooltewah High School, there is a need to develop in-service training to make personnel aware of their responsibilities, including the laws that play an important part in creating the parameters needing to be heeded by administrators, teachers, and coaches alike; (3) pursue a process of reporting and accountability for sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape; (4) meet with each group of building administrators and students to determine what is needed to increase student competence in each core area and determine what is necessary to reach the objectives toward this end; and (5) examine various programs that could get parents or significant adults of students involved in the education process, which is believed to be an integral part of the development of the lives of our students.
To date, getting parents or significant adults of students involved in the education process has been a struggle for school personnel, since parents have elected not to be involved with their children’s schools, and parents are not made to feel welcomed by many building administrators. In the recent past, Rick Smith developed an elaborate plan to meet with members of the community about the need to increase our property tax. Why is a similar plan not executed to meet with members of our community to discuss what the education system is doing and to seek input and participation from parents and significant adults? The only time that top HCDE officials desire to meet with members of the community is to increase taxes? This needs to change in order to improve the education experience for everyone involved. And the community needs to be assured that their children are safe when they attend our schools, and this needs to be a focus of an interim superintendent as well.
It is important to focus on the fact that the interim superintendent is temporary, so the person who accepts this position needs to move quickly, because time is of the essence. There are five points suggested as areas that need attention by the HCDE School Board and the interim superintendent. Hopefully, they will be seriously considered or the future will look quite similar to the past.
Don T.D. Gala, Ph.D.
Hixson, TN
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Dr Gala, you should run for school board in District 3 again. You are obviously light years ahead of the current board member from District 3, as your assessment demonstrates.
We need dedicated and knowledgeable school board members at this time of crisis in our schools. Using the school board position as a stepping stone to a higher office, as some are now doing, shows ambition trumps concern for our students.
Ralph Miller