After school board president Renata Hernandez assailed the City Council and Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Green attacked the board, and various others lobbed brickbats Monday, Acting Schools Superintendent Anna Belin-Pyles came to the microphone.
The school board has worked "diligently" with the city, she said.
"When the comment was made that the Board of Education has not worked with the city on shared services, that was not accurate," she said, calling it "critical that the community understands that the two bodies are working together."
But after the show of acrimony and rattling of political sabers moments before, her words had a brave but hollow ring. The issue that caused the outbursts Monday was the City Council's decision to move school board elections from April to November, an option allowed by law but promoted by Assemblyman Green in an accusatory way against the board. (Tuesday's BOE agenda included the other option, for the board itself to move the elections.)
Belin-Pyles went on to say that the school district needs additional community participation and that people should visit schools and see for themselves how things are going.
"Don't judge us," she implored.
Speaking of the urban district's challenges, she said, "Before we can educate, we have to assist in the wellness of families."
Despite a few other words on collegiality and cooperation from earlier speakers, anyone witnessing the exchanges Monday could not help but come away with the impression that relations between the city and the school district are strained. Not only did the display make the acting superintendent's job harder, one can only imagine what any candidates for the superintendency might be thinking as the New Jersey School Board Association search narrows.
More than one commenter has characterized Plainfield as dysfunctional in general, with the common good often taking a back seat to the "crabs in a barrel" syndrome. Whatever satisfaction individuals got out of the political posturing and power plays Monday, the overall effect was to give the impression of a combative milieu where administrative acumen is valued less than scrapping and scoring points at others' expense.
Belin-Pyles was addressing the grown people in the room with her pitch for togetherness, but surely one wonders what the district's 7,000 students would make of the behavior on display Monday. Educators talk about "teaching moments" - what was the lesson here? Do unto others before they do unto you?
Even if the superintendent's post ultimately goes to Belin-Pyles, as some surmise it may, will she be able to do her job and remain above the fray? Her only advantage in this situation is that she already knows all the combatants. A newcomer would have to walk even more gingerly on a path of leadership strewn with political IEDs. Either way, watching for danger underfoot will keep any chief school administrator from looking up and looking ahead.
--Bernice
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I would LOVE to sit in on a class[es] to see what is going on in a normal day, but have been told there are too many security checks, hurdles, landmines to get approval. The day or the casual observer are long gone [Columbine] I understand, but is there a doable system to sit during some TEACHING?
ReplyDeleteGB you were personally invited by the Superintendent to do so. Stop making excuses, taking other peoples word for it and COME SEE for yourself. It really is that simple!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I trust Beylin-Pyles. I'm not impressed with her performance so far, but I'm even less impressed with the BOE. I wish we could fire them and start all over. I think they are so afraid of losing their jobs, which they do poorly, that they only want a small turnout for the June election. I'm glad they're not getting away with it. Thank you, Maria.
ReplyDeleteBob we are not impressed with you either.
ReplyDeleteI could care less about what Anonymous thinks. Facts are facts and I think they are on my side. Honest, informed opinion is more important, no matter who it comes from.
ReplyDelete