More Coffee, Please

I was really enjoying the little hiatus from blogging about politics I’ve been able to enjoy since the special election. The last few weeks have been wonderful without the sensation there was a sword hanging over my head—and the head of everyone I know and work with, the head of every kid I see, the head of every parent and every taxpayer in the district (whether they see it or not)—it has been really nice.

Of course, that sense of peace and safety was illusory. Nothing really substantial changed in the district—the same elements which have been present and have been an impediment to education and our students are still there. Winning or losing a vote didn’t change anyone’s mind—it merely made clear how in the minority there position is.

But if the majority sleeps, or doesn’t pay attention… well, then you end up with the vast (and useless!) silent majority. And I would prefer to not make that mistake.

Much of the action right now is focusing on the school board.¹ The Sentinel article in today’s paper was right on, and it’s a clear description of how dysfunctional the board is becoming.

There’s an easy explanation.

There’s been a realignment of power on the board—Colline Dreyfuss resigning was one key factor—and this has shifted the board away from those who have been the most supportive of education. Those who have historically been most negative, those who have historically been most aggressive and anti-school are still present, and this realignment has changed the tone of the board.

It’s not about education anymore. It’s once more about obstructionism and making sure nothing gets done.

So much so that Karen Cota, one of the strongest and most fierce advocates for education in the district and on the board, resigned Tuesday night.

“In the last six months it has become more apparent that this board is not interested in the welfare of our students… I believe this board is more interested in power trips, and personal egos are at an all-time high.” [emphasis added]

There’s a real danger smoldering, and it needs to be snuffed before it turns into a fire. Much of the good that has been going on in the schools is in real jeopardy of being undermined by the actions (and inactions) of the board. The shift in dynamics is threatening to undercut the ground that has been gained since the start of the school year—a point Kristen Goodenough made last night.

It’s hard enough keeping an eye on what’s going on in the board and making it public. The worst part is how much is going on in closed session. Eventually, yes, the minutes are made public, but in some cases—and I can think of several I can’t talk about right now—the delay is enough to close the oppurtuninity. This is a nice new tactic which makes it even harder to know what’s going on, and there’s really only one solution to it—show up, and watch them.

The school board has historically only acted as it should when the public is watching it. If nobody shows up, if teachers, parents, and those who want what is best for their kids are not there, then they act in the selfish manner we’ve seen time and time again.

The next time the group gets together will be Thursday at 4pm—a meeting of the education committee. Seems like a group which ought to have some parents keeping watch. I’d clear my calender—it’s going to be a long road to get to where we want to be.

1 I am, several times in the rest of this post, going to refer to the “board” as a collective entity. They’re not, of course, any more than “teachers” or “school” is a single entity with a single way of working. I know several board members, and they’re among the best and most dedicated individuals I know, truly passionate about kids and their education. I know several board members who have lied, obstructed progress, and are not at all interested in provided any level of education to the area’s youth—let alone an adequate or good one. Right now the latter are in ascendency, and that taints the board as a whole—but that in no way makes the good men and women on the board any less so. Rather, it’s a sign we need to pay attention, sort wheat and chaff, and throw the latter to the fire when elections come. ↺

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Education, Monadnock Regional School District, School Board

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