Too Nice?

Doug Lidiak is a nice guy.  He is open, candid, and genuinely cares about children and the future of education.  His background in developing educational software has put him in the halls and classrooms many times throughout the years.  Lidiak also has the business experience needed to effectively manage a board and ensure the flow of lucid information throughout a system.  These qualities put him at the helm of the reorganized District 6 school board, as the new members boarded the sinking ship.

However, some of Lidiak's early statements pose grave concern.  True, he has parcelled out roles traditionally to board members (e.g., Secretary and Treasurer) to those within the District, which shows innovative thinking.  But he has already voiced his admiration and support of Superintendent Ranelle Lang, the woman that has been at the helm of the District for the past several years, with almost no change in outcome.  District 6 is still the worst large school district in the state, and she could not be more proud.

Lidiak and the other new board members inherit a complete disaster; that's why they were elected.  The vast majority of the teachers are listed as highly proficient.  The food served in school is good.  There are free meals and remedial classes available for every strata of students.  The superintendent is experienced and has run the operation for years.  But the district is failing.  Badly!  What is left to change?  The students?  They will remain the same, too.

It's obvious the time is now for new leadership and a new philosophy.  Some of the steps necessary will take drastic measures.  But the board just booted Trimberger as President for Lidiak.  He likes Lang.  He sees some wonderful things in the District.  Is he too nice?  Will he actually step up and do what is necessary, or will he be sucked into the educational machine that continues to fail?  Early indications do not look good.  Let's see if he is a leader, or yet another Trimberger-style, Lang-loving failure.

Comments

[Brett Reese]

I just had breakfast with Doug. He understands the persistant, zealous efforts to indoctrinate all new board members. He talks of allowing everyone's voice to be heard. I have to admit, he has already shown more backbone than I expected.

Between the open=agenda format of the board meetings, making it possible to place items on the agenda, and Doug's insistence to hear all perspectives, I am optimistic.

So the new members enter the propoganda phase of their "orientation"...tonight it is Ken Delay, hard lefty, chief of CASB, followed by Lang- 4 hours total. whew. This should twist anybody's brain in a knot. Then orientation meetings next monday night. Tho I think they should more appropriately label them "re-orientation".