I saw this poster on Facebook and thought it seemed apropos. If anyone knows the name of the artist please let me know so that I can give proper credit. (After doing some checking, I believe the artist's name is Al Haug)
There is an unusual political alliance taking shape in our school district right now and it has me reflecting on what unites us as Americans. Our concerns over the performance of our superintendent and school board have people from both the left (like me) and from the right of the political spectrum coming together to demand change. In other circumstances we would disagree with one another, vehemently I'm guessing, about the proper role of government, to whose advantage we believe the "playing field" currently tilts, and the direction in which we believe the country should be heading.
But left, right, or center, there are certain things we do agree on. We believe that public institutions, like our school district, belong to us and not to the people who run them for us. We believe that those individuals should be responsible and responsive to the public. When it comes to accountability and transparency we believe they've got to "walk the walk," not just "talk the talk." We really hate the idea that someone might use their public office or public employment to feather their own nest or benefit their friends. Or that the people in charge would simply look the other way. Especially in tough economic times we expect careful stewardship of resources, budget cuts that protect the educational mission of the district, and good value for our money. We expect the guardians of our resources to justify every expenditure and demonstrate its impact on the education of our children. We expect full and complete honesty from the people we have elected and hired to run our school district. We want frequent, open, two-way communication about the issues we confront.
This is our school district. It belongs to us. We are not afraid and we will not be bullied or intimidated any longer. We're coming together and we're going to put our house in order.
AMEN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you distinguish between criticism and bullying?
ReplyDeleteKathleen, you are doing an amazing job! Clearly you have some Joseph supporters who are reading your blog and trying to make you and others who read your blog question what you are doing by posting comments like the one above. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you, but you are not a bully, you are an advocate- for the people who clearly need one. Thank you for what you do.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous, above:
ReplyDeleteDo you live in our district, or perhaps Australia, or Timbuktu?
Truth is being spoken here.
If you have firsthand knowledge, state it openly and support your position. KS certainly has.
Otherwise, begone!
I'm still trying to figure out what Dr. Hunter is doing that is so terrible. I hear a lot of allegations and rumors. I hear lots of criticism regarding how money should be spent. But when I do any kind of investigating, I find that the criticisms are often without merit and that what Dr. Hunter fails at most is communicating effectively. Unfortunately, he has been under attack so continuously that he now speaks from a defensive position. Try to communicate effectively when you know every little thing you do will be picked apart and let's see how you come across.
ReplyDeleteI started going to school board meetings ready to believe he was a terrible superintendent. However, I found myself convinced that he and the school district were doing a pretty good job. I found it was the same 5-10 people complaining, usually months after the discussion had begun on whatever topic, and often times after they had actually been given the opportunity to give input but because it didn't go exactly the way they wanted, they were complaining and often acting in a very unprofessional way at school board meetings. The opposition has actually convinced me Dr. Hunter is doing a good job.
I am curious how he is doing such a terrible job when we have a newly remodeled high school. I don't see any other district in the area with this. I see curriculum alignment and improving test scores. I see solid instruction of students and teachers being give opportunities to meet and collaborate regularly (educational gold if you ask me). I see planning ahead and a balanced budget when other districts have to abruptly end the school year because they have run out of money. I see a lot of good things that are being over looked.
It sucks that there isn't enough money. I agree. But that isn't his fault. When 80% of the budget is personnel, exactly where are we supposed to cut when the state asks districts to cut budgets repeatedly? No one is going to be happy here.
This is my first hand knowledge and for the record, I'm not the poster from above.
So how would you explain the great divide between Dr. Hunter and his staff?
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous who is still trying to understand what Dr. Hunter did to cause such animosity:
ReplyDeleteHere are just a few things- 1.) Hiring a man to manage our multi million dollar bond who had been previously fired from not one but two other school districts for dishonesty. Coincidentally working with this man in Beaverton and bringing him to Central. 2.) Yelling at, demeaning, and treating employees disrespectfully during meetings. So much so that in certain meetings he is no longer allowed to speak and in some cases come at all. 3.) Taking naps during meetings, leaving early and coming late. 4.) Not working period, the amount of actual absences he has taken are unbelievable! 4.) Using school district funds for unecessary reasons- golf tournaments, hotel rooms, double mileage, cell phones etc. 5.) Asking teachers to give up days and when teachers said they needed time to decide giving EVERY teacher a pink slip notice which was unnecessary and damaged the already fragile relationship between Hunter and employees (no other district did this). 6.) Sending a letter to community members stating that administrators gave up days and implying that teachers were frugal and selfish, then when teachers did give up days quietly giving administrators back days but not informing the community of that fact. 7.) Cutting integral and important programs like P.E., Music, and counseling and teaching and assistant positions (positions that work directly with the children) and not making equitable cuts at the administration level. 8.) Pitting staff members against each other. 9.) Creating a environment of stress and tension (If you remember we had major cuts way back in 2003 under the prior superintendent, nobody reacted this way to his cuts!). 10.) Very rarely, if ever going into schools and working with or seeing what teachers and students are actually doing. 11.) Telling the community that we finished the bond under budget which isn't true at all... I could continue and continue...
As far as the good that you state he's done for our district. The bond passing and a new high school being built- HE did not pass the bond, the community did. Higher test scores- those are because of the hard work of teachers, students and assistants who continually do more with less and rise to the occasion, he has nothing to do with it. More planning time? Please... teachers have less planning time than ever, especially now that P.E. and Music have been cut and now PLC's as well. Teachers are constantly scrambling and lack of print shop only exacerbates that. Unfortunately those high test scores will fall. There are elementary classrooms with 36 kids in them and high school classes with 46, do you really expect teachers to work miracles? We are burnt out, tired, and feel unappreciated. As far as only 10 people who complain at board meetings- bless those that have the courage to do so and don't live in fear of losing their jobs and being black-balled like the employees of this district. There are FAR more than just 10 people who are angry. Ninety-five percent of teachers!!!!! Hello? These people are smart, educated, hard-working people! Why would they take a vote like that if there weren't solid reasons to do so??!! We didn't do it under any other superintendent. Ask yourself, why this one?
Yes, the high school is lovely with it's $30,000 turf, and $800 gate, and $30,000 pianos. It's nice and shiny on the outside but it is ROTTEN on the inside. Open your eyes man!!! You sound like an intelligent person, don't let yourself be fooled by him!
And THAT (the above comment), folks, is the DEFINITIVE statement.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the poster could have added MUCH more. I know I certainly could add a few items.
How do you argue against that tsunami, with any degree of integrity?
I wholeheartedly agree!! Thanks anonymous for your statement! I could also add a few reasons he should no longer be our superintendent. P.S. How can anyone say we have a "balanced budget" when we are laying off teachers, assistants, and cutting print shop?
ReplyDeleteSince Anonymous #3 who accused me of being a bully chose to "hit and run" I would like to respond to my own question regarding the distinction between legitimate criticism and bullying.
ReplyDeleteTo me, bullying takes place when an individual or group targets someone because of the way they look, their gender, their sexual orientation etc. and subjects them to repeated attacks regarding something that is intrinsic to their very humanity. Bullies, even though they typically have power over their victims or are of higher status, are secretive and stick to the shadows.
Public figures, whether elected or appointed, have to be ready to face criticism. Being in charge of the education of thousands of children and the management of tens of millions of dollars each year means that someone's job performance is of vital public interest. My comments have focused on Joseph Hunter's job performance.
I have done everything openly with no attempt to conceal my identity. I have provided evidence to support my opinions. If someone thinks I am wrong, then they are welcome to provide their own evidence and interpretation. If you want to criticize me for opening up this discussion, go right ahead. The only comments that have been deleted (twice now) were done at the request of the person who posted them. I do reserve the right to delete posts that I think are inappropriate personal attacks because that IS bullying. Criticizing public figures for the way they do their jobs is NOT.
Joseph Hunter has created the situation in which he finds himself. His leadership style which includes an apparent lack of a desire or understanding as to how to lead in a respectful, positive way, has resulted in the current negative interaction between him and the employees of the district. That is not to say he is unskilled in every way. His skills and abilities, in areas other than dealing with people, have allowed him to successfully lead a project like building the new high school. He is however, very deficient in intra and inter personal intelligence. Not clue one, except how to be mostly civil in large groups. His assessment of himself, his understanding of his relationships or the effect of how he treats with others, is woefully deficient. One on one or in small groups he is sarcastic, demeaning and disrespectful. So that framework, in a position where personal communication is so important, has impaired his ability to do a good job. And this has been true since day one. He just does not get how what he says impacts people. He does not understand how people are motivated or demotivated. Or maybe he does not care. Either way, this huge blind area has rendered him ineffective in managing the people who work in the district.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who gave several specifics as to why Dr. Hunter is not liked or trusted: well done!
ReplyDeleteI understand that the average community member can't know many of these specifics simply because they are not in the schools, seeing and hearing what we as teachers do. But to think we as educators blame the current financial situation on our Supt. is ridiculous and completely misses the point. Yet, I can see how this is the perceived situation from the outside. Please trust caring, educated and experienced school staff when we say that we are tired and done. Tired of seeing colleagues and superiors treated horribly and tired of a Supt. who puts his own personal agenda ahead of our schools, students and teachers. I have lost sleep over the knowledge I do have of his actions (and I don't even know as much many do). This lack of sleep is due to anger and shear disappointment.
If you are not aware of what is going on, please read all blog entries (both pro and con for our Supt.) and find someone you trust in our community (not a school employee) who is willing to talk to you. I would also talk to someone who was present at the Fire Station meeting held last year which was specifically scheduled to discuss this broken relationship.
Most importantly, form an educated opinion, not one based on rumors or the bits of information that can be heard during a Board meeting. Many community members have worked very hard to gather evidence so that their letter of no confidence is well written and NOT subject to doubt and "he said/she said" trivialities.