I’m just sayin’.

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s always impressed me how, after the dust settles around an election or major CSD decision, how a majority of the parents immediately get right back into the schools, volunteering, raising money, attending events, supporting the teachers, staff, and principals. Sometimes I think there’s a kind of oneupsmanship that helps the schools–”We’ll show everyone how much we REALLY care even if they are all wrong-headed about Decision X”. The only dent in fundraising lately has been from the economy. A few things like Sally Foster fundraising are definitely taking a hit. Given how many things like Active Boards, computer carts, art equipment like kilns, library books, Math Academy, etc. are bought through this fundraising, a dip in fundraising is worrisome. Hopefully, we don’t have personal feuds that will affect parent and citizen support for the students in our schools.

There’s an element of the personal that’s infused in the ongoing school debate that you just don’t see on the city side. CSD administrators are quite consistently labeled/seen as self-interested, overpaid and out of touch. In return, CSD administrators often come across as annoyed and defensive. None of this helps towards bridging the communication gap.

Having been thrust into the position of middle-man, I’ve simply attempted to be courteous and objective as possible.

If what people actually care most about is the children – and not their own personal feuds – then it’s in everyone’s best interest to be vigilant, learned, critical and opinionated about all things CSD, but also courteous and polite.