IsthmusWeek3
Isthmus Week 3
1. Do you agree with how the Madison school district administration and the teachers union handled the Anthony Hirsch case?
I am not a lawyer and do not know why this was considered an acceptable termination of employment. However, what I do know is that this method seems to be the standard operating procedure for dealing with cases that could require long litigation and high costs. It seems the easiest way out for all parties. This approach to eliminating a questionable employee is unfortunately used by school systems throughout the country and not just in Madison. The prevalence of this approach, however, does not excuse it. It was only a matter of time before some child somewhere would suffer as a result. Student safety and student education, rather than expediency, must be the determining factor when ending the employment of any District staff member, and the names of such people must be sent to DPI.
My understanding, in this particular case, is that the District felt that there was insufficient evidence to successfully charge Mr. Hirsch. Furthermore, his new district never contacted us even though the terseness of his employment file here should have alerted them to a possible problem. Still, Superintendent Rainwater has stated that mistakes were made and that this policy is at an end. I believe him.
The recent decision by the School Board to finance employee finger printing will also help ensure the safety of our children.
2. School boundary changes are among the most contentious decisions that school board members face. Often they involve matters of neighborhood identity, family precedent at a school, bussing, a school’s socio-economic mix, and race. Construction of a new elementary school in the Memorial High School attendance area has touched off a major row over readjusting attendance areas. What is your general philosophy about school boundary changes, and do you support the school board’s decision on resetting the Westside boundaries?
The School Board has a well-defined policy for determining boundary changes and their recent decision followed this policy. Consequently, I agree with their decision. Having said that, however, I believe that the communication component in this entire process needs improvement.
The original plans presented by the Administration were thought by the Long Range Planning Committee to be wanting. Additional plans were developed and, in that process, neighborhoods did not get appropriate information in a timely manner.
Since the Administration and Board had known for some time that boundary changes were necessary, there should have been more warning given to the public and perhaps some input should have been allowed in the form of recommended changes developed by the effected areas. If the parents had felt that they were part of the decision making process, this might not have turned into such a contentious decision.
I have taught in schools with new children arriving from changed boundaries. These students were warmly welcomed and the transition was made easy and uneventful. Children seem to adapt easier to change than we adults do. I hope that all families involved in changing schools will give the new schools a chance to educate their children. As a Board member, I will help the schools in anyway that I can to ensure that these children continue to receive an excellent education.
3. Speaking of that new Westside school, who do you think it should be named for? The four finalists are Nobel Prize winner Howard Temin, Centro Hispano founder Ilda Thomas, educator and conservationist Paul Olson and disability activist Jeff Erlanger. Or do you think the board should have stuck with naming the school for Hmong hero Vang Pao? Or do you have your own favorite?
The task force that presented the four final names to the Board was an excellent example of how our District should partner with the citizens of Madison in the decision making process. It will be an honor for all children attending the new school to say that they go to Temin, Thomas, Olson or Erlanger Elementary School.
I realize many people still hoped for a Hmong name and this too would have been fine. However, the process is finished and we must accept the task force’s decision.
