DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID

By Whitney Butler, Writer

Calhoun County Schools ARE WONDERFUL! Now I know you might be rolling your eyes thinking, “Great! Here comes another article tearing apart our Board of Education or our teachers.” But that’s where you’re wrong. Buckle up folks because this is gonna be a long one, as I am going to go into detail about what my three children have experienced in Calhoun County Schools that may resonate with some and will definitely irritate several. 

Every single day we open our our social medias to scroll through and see what’s going on, only for our feeds to be a back-and-forth battle either for or against the school system. And honestly no matter what side of the line you’re on, you’re entitled to your opinion just as much as everyone else is theirs.

I know that as of late The Ridgeview’s stance against the school and Superintendent Whytsell has rubbed many teachers and staff the wrong way. But let me put it into perspective from a parent who not only has three children, who all have different learning styles, but also a coach who spends probably way too many hours at the School for what I’m paid. 

I have two children who need Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and one who is a strong traditional learner. And out of the two who need a more personalized learning experience, only one has received any form of actual education assistance and one who I have to demand meetings for that rarely ever bear any sort of result. And, yes this post will likely make me public enemy number one, but Ridgeview has taken hit after hit for her opinions, without ever divulging our children’s personal experiences in the system. And I am only covering half her grandchildren, as my sister also has three children with their own experiences within the schools. 

So why am I still saying Calhoun County Schools is wonderful? Because the school system isn’t made up of those who sit on the board or even those who sit at the head of the class. It’s so much more than that. Our school system is FILLED with some of the brightest, strongest, most resilient students anywhere. These kids have had to learn in some of the hardest situations, worse than any adult has ever experienced, and yet they have persevered. And that is due in large part to educators like Melody Wallburn,JoLynn Wilson, Kelley and Adam O’Harrow, Dana Ferrell, Josh Johnson, Debra McClain, Laura Webb and many others. These are just the few that I have had to personally deal with that have went above and beyond for my children. These individual’s hard work is often overshadowed by the lack of effort of some of their colleagues. And those with poor work ethic and horrible behaviors is where Ridgeview’s anger and frustration has come from. 

And yes, this article most likely won’t paint the school system in any better light than the others, but it will give those who think that all this negativity towards the school is unjustified a little insight into matters that have been swept under the rug. 

The Pathways project was just the tipping point for parents who were already so frustrated with the school system. This program had been in our school for several years now, with some groups showing productivity and others showing an increase in screen time. They boasted how it offers these amazing field trips to the students. But didn’t finish the sentence though. This program offers amazing field trips to a certain group of students chosen by the teacher in charge of that Pathway. The Board of Ed presentation on the aqueduct showed students abilities to create an in depth project in a matter of weeks, but the other group didn’t have anything to display. My child was in that group. He said they learned how to use a ruler, how to shop online and were asked for ideas on what they thought the library needed to be remodeled. And while I don’t necessarily believe this is all that they did, this is what he took from the project. So again, this is why parents are frustrated. 

The child of mine that participated in the pathways test run is a strong traditional learner whose opinion on the project was less than impressed. But even after his lackluster comments I’m still on the fence because coming up behind him I have a hands on learner who very well could thrive if this program is done right. But because of my personal experiences with some of the teachers running the program I’m very concerned. Covid hit these younger kids very hard in terms of where they stand educationally, and if not given the right amount of instructional time I am afraid my child could fall farther behind. This is a genuine fear, not an attack on the program or those in charge of it. And I’m sure I’m not alone. 

We have tossed around the idea of taking a student poll to see exactly how the students felt about the Pathways program, the school system and the educators many times. But every time we settle on it’s not a good idea because parents could use it as a political platform to get their message across and not actually be the child’s voice being heard. 

You hear it all the time, these children are our future. And that is absolutely true. The kids of today will be the leaders of tomorrow if given love, acceptance, encouragement and guidance. Much of which is not being achieved. I have been a coach at the high school level starting my fifth year. In the last four years I have seen and heard a lot from these kids. My open-ear policy has made me a safe place for these teens to vent their frustration with their teachers and school staff. I’ve heard it all. Lack of communication, extreme political topics being pushed, no help, fear, unfair treatment, honestly downright disgusting behavior of teachers, poor management and so on. And if they are telling me this as a coach imagine what they’re telling their parents. So again, THIS is why parents are frustrated. 

I’m sure you’ve seen where it’s been said that people are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs. And it’s true, I get paid very little to coach but do it because I absolutely adore working with student athletes and kids in general, and even I have had my job threatened for standing up against a teacher who was using my child as classroom illustration, humiliating him, and much worse. And what did I say that got me called into the principals office? That said teacher can often come across as a donkey. Exact words. What happened to said teacher? Nothing. The behavior continued until I pulled my child from that class. And there are other children who suffered right alongside mine, whose parents and kids were too afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation from the teacher. And yet even after all this, I can still say Calhoun Schools are wonderful? Yep. Because again, it’s not about the bad eggs out there, it’s the few that get overlooked that have made the world of difference. The few that have prioritized improving our children’s education over taking the easy route. 

So before you go pour you a big glass of “Down with the BOE” juice or even pick up that pitcher of “Trash the Community KOOLAID,” remember there is so so so much more to everyone’s reason for fighting back against the system and the people who have our children’s futures in their hands. And while this most likely won’t make any friends and will very likely get me called on the carpet again, it’s time for everyone, on both sides of the aisle to take a minute and try and see it from the other side. Teachers, if you’re truly offended and not just feeling self-righteous by what is being said about the school system, then honestly you are probably one of the few that deserves recognition you’ll most likely never receive. Those that are constantly spewing disgust towards anyone brave enough to stand against the school and hash tagging everything that could even remotely make them look important are overshadowing the hard work and dedication you’ve given to these kids. #EmpoweringYourEgo #SuckUp 

And if you are fighting against the Board of Education,remember there truly are amazing individuals within our schools, teachers and students. Try to see it from the perspective of the teacher that has actually empowered their students by giving them their time, support, attention and love. Not from those teachers and staff who are there to get a paycheck. Because unfortunately those amazing individuals are likely taking this fight personally and feeling like their hard work is being wasted on ungrateful people. Because Calhoun County Schools is wonderful at hiding its Wonderful People.