So Far, A Collective Yawn

The District 6 school drama has slowed down with the departure of Brett Reese from the board.  But the pattern seems to be eerily similar to others from years past.  Children are failing with remarkable regularity, graduation standards have been lowered and not raised, the district is poised to ask for more money from the community (it's for the nice buildings this time, and maybe for curriculum), and regardless of who is on the board the district continues to slouch toward mediocrity.

Last Fall three new members were added to the board: Doug Lidiak, Logan Richardson and Scott Rankin.  So far these three have voted in lock-step with Judy Kron, Linda Trimberger, and Julia Richard.  Superintendent Ranelle Lang still has a huge bloc of power, and almost nothing has changed.  But since Reese (the lightning rod and catalyst of the group) is gone, it seems the city is once again content.

Are you happy with our schools?

• Do you like the fact that half the students presently enrolled don't meet minimum standards?
• Do you think the district deserves more money?
• Do you believe it's right that the district can hold you and I hostage over spending money on curriculum and textbooks when it's a fundamental need?
• Do you think Lang deserves the extravagant salary she receives?
• Do you believe the curriculum should be controlled by a closed group of teachers and administrators without any parental control?

If you believe these things, then do nothing.

However, if you are fed up with years (yes, years) of garbage, then we need more than the "cope-with-the-existing-garbage-and-ask-for-more-money" mentality.  It's obvious Trimberger, Kron and Richard won't do anything.  Now we are concerned the three new board members will join them in the collective yawn.  The time to shake things up is now.  Reese is gone.  Who will stand up now?  Who cares?

Comments

[Shirley]

It takes no courage to call names, fail to show up, then quit. I'm happy to live outside District 6.

[greeleygirl]

So you think that Reese was a coward. Well then, you step up to the plate and let the creeps call you names and threaten you or your family. Or do you just want to sit there and keep on knitting? I know that I do my part. Too bad all you can do is talk.

[Shirley]

Reese is a coward. He promised to fight. He quit. He promised to sue. He hasn't. He did nothing to garner support for a change agenda. Instead, he demanded attention (whether negative or positive). He did a great disservice to our children because he polluted the momentum for change with his narcissistic behavior. I'm sure it helped him sell newspapers, er. . . maybe not.