The last 24-hours have been a whirlwind. 10+ hours of work, 2 hours of driving, 3ish hours of a school board meeting, 1 skipped workout but was still awake at 4:30AM, way too much time spent on social media between 10PM-7AM. Tried to spend 30ish-minutes of quality time with my son this morning. Trying to write this blog before I need to hit the road for work again. You get the jist and probably experienced something similar.
I want to start with a few quotes I found about disagreements that rang true as I needed some positive energy to write this. Remember, for context, I live in a world of disagreements, advocacy, politics (the good and bad)....but I needed to read these after the past 14 hours. "One of the truest signs of maturity is the ability to disagree with someone while still remaining respectful." "Most disagreements are caused by different perceptions that created different realities." "I connect with people who have a lot in common with me. But I admire people based on how they react when we don't agree with each other. Disagreeing gracefully is an art and I'm still learning it." You know this, but for this upcoming school year (2020-2021), the board voted to stay at our 5-day school calendar. Teachers feel betrayed, angry, sad, not supported. Language used on social media includes: this is a "slap in the face" to teachers, comments surrounding "what's the point of surveys?", beliefs that board members had "their own agenda" and noting that the vote was largely around gender lines and that it was a ridiculous decision. There's comments about pitchforks. There's comments about going on strike. There's jokes (maybe real?) about valued teachers leaving or looking elsewhere for jobs. There have been emails I have received who have commented that critics of the 4-day week are people who haven't lived in Hallsville for long and may be transient or move in a few years---so why should we not listen? We were told as folks left the board meeting that we should feel ashamed for voting the way we did. There are comments about being power-hungry and that's why those of us are on the board serve. Isn't the elected-life glamorous? It pains my soul to see these things. I was in the majority. I'm a male. These comments, while not directed pointedly at me, are about me. It sure don't feel good. I speak for myself and I think the whole board when none of us took the decision lightly. The board's decision, regardless, was going to make people unhappy. I work in politics everyday and of course, even our legislators have to make choices everyday on what's based on the most popular opinion, their gut, or other information presented. This type of decision making can come across maybe as paying attention to "special interests" or "their own agendas" but it's how our democratic republic works. I assure you I have no "special interests" or "my own agenda" except for trying to do what's best for our whole community. I hope and trust that as our teachers mourn this demoralizing event, that my commitment to them---their morale--their well-being can be reconciled with me. I've supported and worked to ensure we work with the community to ensure teachers are able to have salary increases, better and more appropriate technology for today's students, sent emails during teacher appreciation weeks as a board member to each building. participated as much as possible in the back-to-school welcome-days with staff, worked to try to get the Hallsville Foundation up and going, and most importantly---tried to support the teachers whom have loved on and supported my children at all levels of the educational spectrum as they've been in school. I have worked very hard and intentionally to fill the cup of our teachers who are under appreciated, under paid, and who fill so many additional roles other than "teacher." I would say coming off of a tough vote like this is the hardest part for 'elected officials' and is why they avoid those who disagree with them. It's awkward. Part of my own growth is recognizing emotions of mine better. In being fully transparent, I've got to say, while I was in the majority on the board vote----this morning, I wake up feeling like I'm on an island, probably, like many of our teachers. I feel a bit like I've been beat down myself after reading responses of how teachers feel because, as I said above, I've spent my entire time on the board truly, and genuinely trying to balance what's best for teachers, students, and our community. I don't write this as a rebuttal, critique of teachers, or to justify my actions. I don't write this to seek attention, affirmation, or pats on the back from folks who agreed with how I voted. I don't write this to "poke and prod" or open the wounds from yesterday. I'm writing this to say: teachers---I feel your pain. I feel your frustration. I understand you feel like a ton of work has been done by many of you to learn and dive into this issue---and that feels all for naught after last night. I'm sorry for that feeling. I've been on the board 3-years now and I do feel like we've come a long ways from where we were in 2015/2016. We have had forward momentum. We've done good things for our students, teachers, and community in the past three years. I hope we can continue to move forward and that we can reconcile with one another---as a board---as a community member (me)---and you---and as many teachers and community members as friends. Yesterday, we disagreed on an issue. It may not be the last, but it's probably the first (at least that I'm aware of?). That doesn't mean that I'm intentionally or wanting it to feel like the feelings you are feeling aren't true or sincere. That doesn't mean that I ignored the survey data. The board and community have talked about finding our "Hallsville edge" in continued recruitment of high quality teachers and this will continue to be a priority of the board as we move forward. My leading quotes about disagreement may be cliche, and ending with one about adversity may be too---but I still feel like it's worth sharing: "We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." Our community is stronger and bigger than this issue. Today, I need to say that. Do you believe it? Maybe not. Do I believe it? As of this moment, I'm not sure myself. However, I trust that as time goes on and we do reconcile as a community---that we are bigger and stronger than this issue. I love this community, our teachers and staff, and am grateful for the opportunity to be on the board. Be safe out there today as the snow comes in. Until next time. Craig
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AuthorHallsville resident. Foster Parent. School board member. Politico. Jesus Follower. Cardinals Fan #MizzouMade Archives
June 2020
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