Hello List,
Despite what Jennings says his reasons are for turning down the job, I believe if he really thought he was qualified he should have stayed. If he really believed that he had what it took to close the gap for kids and so forth, he should have toughed it out. IMHO, I think he really thought it would be an easier ride, and since it was not, he turned tail. I am not rooting for or against him, I just think it really shows what he is made of.
Had it been me and I totally believed that I was the right person for the job, I would have stuck like glue. As the interim superintendent, he had to be aware of the clauses for appointing individuals without the seemingly required criteria, so that would have put an end to that particular argument.
As to public input, I believe there should have been that. The school board certainly did not have to, but it would have been a nice curtesy prior to this hoopla. Maybe they still would have chosen him. And I do not believe that had Jennings stayed that parents and other interested community folks would have become disenfranchised altogether. I believe they would still participate even as they held Jennings feet to the fire to perform up to par.
When the school board members are running for office, they solicit input as they try to garner support to win. Why stop asking for how they can serve thier constituents better once they get in? The same goes for the Mayor and City Council.
That remark about how Jennings was given congratulatory handshakes by Mayor Rybek and others - big deal. The esteemed Mayor, City Council members and others were all given them too, and look at what's happening there. That is all fluff compared to the real work that comes after the appointment.
As for Rev. Staten and the others whom have raised the ire of some, I say keep raising ire. Somebody has to do it. If people don't like what they are saying, nothing is stopping them from rising up and speaking out, too. Change is usually attributed to those who make some noise.
In conclusion, this earthshattering announcement of Jennings departure has grown old. If people want input, tell us when the community input meeting is, and make sure all the school board members will be in attendance. Invite some KIDS. Invite the groups of parents who have special needs children, PTA moms and dads, talk about cultural competancy not just matters of race. Talk about what type of educational backgrounds teachers coming in to the schools where our children attend should have. What should our current crop of teachers have now. Talk about what parents can and should be doing. Talk about what CAN happen, and then set about the task of MAKING it happen.
When it all boils down to it, there are a lot of highly educated socially illiterate individuals walking around with Ph D's. I have personally met a few and I am not impressed. Find and hire the best person for the job. Don't look to hire credentials. You may find yourself being disappointed.
By the way, Doug Mann, when are you throwing your hat into the ring? I like your politics. You are very consistent and have back-up information when you speak out. Make sure you are at the big meeting. Let me know when your book comes out.
Pamela Taylor
(Whose granddaughter currently attends kindergarten in a Minneapolis school, and is the only one, according to her teacher, who can read in the class, and whom am hoping that her enthusiasim for learning will not be suffocated by the system, weighing in from Tampa, FL)
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