Publisher, Shari Johnson
I personally have been involved in the Calhoun County Schools system since 1971 when the Hardway tribe moved to Mt. Zion. At nine years old I began attending the Grantsville Elementary School. I loved my years in the school system. Did I experience negative things… of course, that was life. I was weird kid, just like I’m a weird adult. Other kids pick on weird kids, it’s a part of life; never justifiable, often to the point of a tragic end on children who can’t cope, and a very sad indictment against the evils of this world. But the loss of another administrator at Calhoun County Schools leaves me very sad and concerned, to the point of this editorial.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Adam Young only one time when I requested permission to introduce the Civil Air Patrol to middle school students. Such a nice person, and obviously a concerned leader. And then after only a few months, he is leaving. It seems every year the students have new administration to adjust to. I realize that everyone has the right (as well they should) to make their own career decisions and changes. But my issue with this is the question, “At what cost?”
I was privileged throughout my high school years to know only one principal, Mr. Robert Bonar, and vice principal James Murphy. I now attend church with Mr. Bonar, who I cannot help but call him by that formal name because of the utmost love and respect I have for him. Like the story of Pharmacist Dick Jarvis yesterday, Mr. Bob Bonar has been a staple in this community who continues to educate his people through the Historical Society. He’s active in the community, generations know him and have fond memories of him and trust. This is what’s missing in our school system. I feel there is very little trust by the community due in part to overturns in administration, a continued issue with government transparency, the lack of acknowledgement that parents rights and involvement are crucial to a successful community.
Then there’s retention of principals, which can directly affect how children perform. In an article regarding this matter in Wisconsin several years ago, Ed Fuller, associate director of the University Council for Educational Administration, stated that research shows that a high principal turnover causes higher teacher turnover and smaller gains in academic achievement. Part of the reasoning behind that finding is that you need a principal there who knows the families, who knows the community, who knows the students and has time to build a strong, positive culture focused on learning.
I wholeheartedly believe that and had come to that conclusion when my grandchildren began in Calhoun County Schools. Elementary school staff seems to stay put a little longer than the Middle High School. Especially Administration, and it’s at the most struggling times in a young person’s life when they need to know who they can count on being present in their life.
Calhoun County is likely no different than any other place in the United States, except when it comes to another instability, that of employment. Many of the students parents have struggled with employment; many work out of county and state because there’s nothing available locally of any substantial amount of money. We have a few leaders trying to change that. And some that are doing their best to stop it.
Issues with employment cause issues with families. Arguments, unmet needs and the littlest victims go unheard. The school used to be a place that students could rely on as a safe haven. Not always the case now is it?
I’m not cutting parents any slack either because you need to be involved with the school, now more than ever. You need to be aware of what your children are learning in “public education” that might go against your standards and beliefs. Your children’s future depends on what you know or don’t know.
But on the administration end, I beg of you who are in the system to consider the contribution you make, be it good or bad, and if it’s good, consider what happens when you’re gone. If it’s bad, get out. How long does it take to build an actual trusting relationship in life? What happens when that relationship just disappears without warning. In these unstable of times kids need stability.
In the School Board meeting on Monday night, Arnoldsburg staff were very proud (as well they should have been) of the improvements they’d made in the student test scores. But a comment regarding the Middle High school cut my heart. Regarding the eleventh grade test scores being low and making the school look bad, they stated that it was because the kids didn’t care. They’re probably right. But let’s talk about why the kids don’t care.
I have four grandchildren in the Middle High School. I witness first hand what’s happening there. I hear what my grandchildren say. If they’re being disrespectful to administration I call them out, I have never defended a defiant attitude from my grands, I for certain won’t defend it from faculty.
I don’t know at what point the youth of Calhoun County began losing their community pride, but I know they did. I know it was there in the 70’s and 80’s when I attended the school. I know it was there when my oldest daughter Tiffani attended the school. She oozed school pride as well as my youngest daughter Whitney. Who now is the cheer coach and struggles desperately to get youth motivated on any level with school pride. Laying the blame at the feet of the youth doesn’t cut it with me. While many may not see the correlation with the students grades, this same attitude is visible in school staff and county leadership.
I’m not going to win friends with this article. I don’t care. I’m weary from people not accepting their portion of responsibility. There is a disconnect between the school and family and as long as there is, there will be a disconnect of involvement, concern and pride which directly affects the kids. I see too much attention focused on too few kids in the school and not enough on the school body as a whole. I could rant and tell you story after story of terrible behaviors I have witnessed first hand at the school, and I’m not talking about the kids. But that defiant attitude would be there and it wouldn’t allow anything to get fixed.
Mr. Adam Young is not to blame. But why do we have this consistent overturn in staff? Why are these children not encouraged to be proud of their community? I’m not asking for people to go on a tirade or rant on school personnel. Don’t do it. Give us solutions to the problem. We know the problems, now how do we fix it? We need as adults to show these kids their heritage and community is something amazing to be proud of. That can start by simply telling them the good memories you have.
#proudhouner
