Guest Editorial: Are all school ‘stakeholders’ equal?

We don’t often give over our space to guest editorials, but this message from a government official is a timely call for public imput on important decisions.
Are all school ‘stakeholders’ equal?
A school district’s #1 mission is a simple one: educate the kids. When the students graduate, can they read, write, and calculate sufficiently well. It is we who make the mission impossibly complicated.
I have heard and agree with the statement that the parents are the primary “stakeholder” group. Recently, high school parents were asked to show up and make known their preferences for the leader who will replace Sonoma Valley High School principal Micaela Philpot when she retires in June. Forty people showed up recently, more than a third Latino. It was a good showing for a meeting hastily scheduled.
The high school parents are on the level and very sober. We school district leaders are well advised to accept their genuine energy and their demands to be heard and better included. The parents made the point that families have choices – that SVHS needs to compete. The parents had specific input as to what that means.
It goes against all of our public statements if we choose to get defensive with what they propose, argumentative with their claim of “most important,” closed to their openness. Mature leadership can take criticism, even be thankful for it. Such leadership listens extremely well and models an ability to drill down for whatever the speaker is trying to say. Seeking clear understanding does not imply agreement; it does convey respect.
The parent group that showed up for their input was rightfully frustrated. Repeated specific requests for a meeting adjustment were rebuffed by the search firm representative – subtly at first, then just brazenly: “You can do that together if you like after I’m gone.”
We can say “stakeholder groups” till we’re blue. Why would any group other than parents have more at stake? A greater personal investment? A better grasp of each child involved?
When I taught, it was demanded of me that parents be given rightful respect. No other group was stipulated in that frame. It was rare for any other group to even show up. It’s only when it goes political that parents are relegated to just another “interest group” status. Even the Mentoring Alliance, arguably the group with a commitment approaching that of parents, is secondary to parents. It’s part of their DNA… they do not supercede parents. If we’re sincere about wanting parent buy-in, this is the moment to do things in that spirit.
One of the main points of agreement at the parent night, Anglo and Latino, is the point that kids’ welfare trumps staff welfare. The parents can give us specific after specific supporting their claims. Are we board members willing to listen? Are teachers secure enough to allow us to listen?
The district web site states that principal interviews will be conducted in February; the application deadline is February 9. It also points out that advertising is occurring state and nationwide. This whole process is happening very, very fast and right now.
The parent group wanted to pare down four pages of listed items to 3–5 main points, and participants have since offered up Top 5 list. Tthere seems to be general agreement around a leader who: 1) can create a culture of excellence at the high school, 2) puts a priority on students over staff, 3) can take challenges and solve them creatively, 4) thinks outside of the current district box, and 5) is an inspiring leader.
There is a public school board meeting on Tuesday, January 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. The sole topic is “Race to the Top” and whether SVUSD will seek those federal funds. To seek is to agree to conditions, like classroom accountability. Dear community (especially parents), this is no time to draw back. Come, witness, and speak.
There is another school board meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 5:30–6:30 p.m. in the high school library. The sole purpose is to allow community comments specifically regarding the budget cut list proposed by district staff (http://svusdca.org/home/svusdca/Proposed%202010-11%20Reductions.pdf). It’s money time – this budget will be voted on by the board at the January 12 meeting. Bait is no longer being cut – we’re fishing.
Gary De Smet, SVUSD Trustee