For those who are regular readers, I’m grateful. This is going to be a pretty raw, real post. It’s going to make me vulnerable, open to criticism, and even folks may not only disagree but may not like what I’m going to share. However, I need folks to see things from the angle I sit. So, here I go.
What Happened at the Board Meeting? What’s Next? Communication to Parents Social media is a funny thing. People tend to post things like “what happened” and it’s an online or 21st century version of the “telephone game.” It’s most often partially true, but almost always without full context given or shared. Here’s what happened.
The honest truth is: for parents who aren’t in certain Facebook groups or friends with certain folks---the idea of a calendar change to a 4-day school week hasn’t even been on their radar. How do I know? I’ve talked to them, and they’ve been shocked, unaware. "You've Had 2 Years to Get Questions Answered" Supporters of four-day weeks have consistently shared that they’d like to see what questions board members have. Most of my previous questions to the administrative team are around retention and recruitment broadly. Columbia is thinking outside the box. They just approved more pay for teachers who cover classes. Why aren't we thinking in this way? We're so focused, I think, on this idea that we can't see the forest from the trees. There's a narrative out there that the board has done nothing to support teachers or have a conversation about retention and recruitment since the previous vote. This has been shared and stated by some board members, even. This narrative is not a full picture. I have given suggestions outside the box. The reality is our admin team is like our teachers, swamped in a pandemic. It's also worth noting that in both years after the previous vote, the board has approved increasing staff (certified and non-certified) and also approved salary increases--at a time when many families, businesses, and organizations struggled to keep their doors open. Supporting teachers is more than supporting a 4-day week and I'm proud that we've been able to accommodate needs of our staff to best serve our students. All of that said, four-day week research data is at best mixed, and the newest data (which is rarely discussed) offers more of a mixed-to-negative picture of four-day week rather than positives for student outcomes. Merits aside, if Hallsville moves to a four-day week here are my logistical questions and commitments that I will be sharing with Mr. Downs. I share in the spirit of transparency. These questions don’t need 100% flushed out before approval is given, but right now, I’m being asked to trust the process. With all due respect: I trust our district to implement a plan. Right now, we have no plan as I see regarding many of these items to even begin to flush out. As a taxpayer, parent, before such a decision is made, there needs to be confidence by the board that there is at least a minimum understanding of how the district will approach these items.
Perceptions Are Reality Here’s going to be the touchy part that hasn’t been shared which may upset folks. However, I’ve always been a straight shooter and so I won’t stop now. I share these perceptions on the issue, the approach taken, and what's happening before our eyes. In my policy/political work world: perception is reality.
The Reality of a 4-day Week: As we move forward, I wanted to remind folks of a few things.
Bits & Pieces / Wrapping Up I have resisted the urge to respond to posts on social media by-and-large, but do have a few comments I would share:
Craig
3 Comments
Jennifer
1/22/2022 07:03:43 pm
Wow. I commend your courage for this post. I appreciate you stepping up and voicing your concerns and information many parents and citizens didn’t know. The future of our children/students should always be first and foremost. You have made a lot of important and heartfelt points without being “sided”. Our family’s decision to move to the hallsville district was hugely in part because of the school district and it’s amazing reputation. As well as the community’s family orientated reputation. We have lived here for 4 years and I have been extremely proud for our family to be a part of this amazing community. I have all faith that Hallsville’s Board of Education will make the right decision for our kids after reading this and knowing that we have people like you in there to contribute to making these decisions and to stand up for our childrens best interest. I know this was a hard thing to do and I also know that we all get wrapped up in our heads about our own lives and needs. Someone stepping up and putting information and “perceptions” out there to our community members is sometimes what needs to happen to shake us back into reality and out of our own self-focused mind frames. Sometimes we all need to be put in check and I think you did an amazing and respectful job of this. Thank you for all you do for our schools and community!
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Rick
1/24/2022 11:34:07 am
Thank you sir for having the courage to post this and taking the time to do the research.
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Craig
1/24/2022 02:05:03 pm
Thanks, Rick.
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AuthorHallsville resident. Foster Parent. School board member. Politico. Jesus Follower. Cardinals Fan #MizzouMade Archives
June 2020
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