Reality Bites
OK...time out. Let's analyze that statement. We think we get the point that Stackhouse is trying to make. Certainly, expulsions for certain reasons (e.g., weapons) could alarm the public. We don't want to do that. Expulsion is one of those dark secrets we don't want to talk about...the unsightly stains on the unmentionables, so to speak. We might be OK with letting our freak flag fly, but who wants to have their marked boxers hanging out on the clothesline? Right? Last but not least we have the growing community to think about. If people think the schools are "troubled" with violence then they may be less inclined to mortgage their lives away to purchase a house in Sun Prairie. Or, to put it differently, "If I wanted to pay that much for a house where there are "problems" in the schools, then I'd just live in Madison." Right? There are a lot of Sun Prairie homes on the market, and we've all read about what happens when enrollment declines.
SP Expulsions up 400%
Let's recap ( see http://sp-eye.blogspot.com/2008/04/expulsions-up-400.html )
There have been 16 expulsion hearings this year. There have been 15 expulsions. We're certain the 16th was also expelled, but we have to make a separate public records request to find that out, what grade level, and the reason.
Back to Stackhouse's angered response. Is Stackhouse maybe responding for the district and not as a member of the public? Who would want to know that expulsions are occurring? Maybe the same people that would want to know that a convicted (and released) sexual predator is living in their neighborhood? Parents worry about their children...and we know Stackhouse does too. If Stackhouse can step outside of his shoes for a moment and wear those of a new community member, or one considering moving here, he WOULD want to know if there were behavioral or violence problems in the schools.
So, expulsions are one of those family secrets that we acknowledge only privately. We solemnly pass a look to each other that communicates concern, but then we move on. Out of sight, out of mind. Not unlike your crazy aunt's drinking problems, or the cousin who continually is in trouble with the law. And in those cases, not talking about it might be a way of forgetting about it and moving on.
But these are our kids, too! We've expelled SEVEN middle school kids this year so far! Half of the expulsions so far are not even of high school age! These are barely teenagers! We constantly hear board members preaching that it's about ALL the kids. Does that mean the ones that are expelled too? Or have we given up on them? And what happens to a pre-teen child that is expelled? We still have a responsibility to educate them...usually by home tutoring at the taxpayer's expense. Oh we LOVE to use the word connectedness, and preach its importance. I'm sure those kids feel connected. Do students expelled from high school simply drop out? Maybe we'd like to know what happens to these kids. We understand the privacy element, but we CAN speak in generics without identifying students. And it's not like their peers don't know who got expelled and the kid magically disappears. People WILL talk. And the only way to dispel a rumor is to be open about what's going on. Newsflash! Deflecting the issue is only going to make people smell something wrong.
Out of sight, out of mind?
If a problem isn't on our collective radar screen, then how can we address it? This past Tuesday, board members identified the issues in the district that they wanted to work on in the coming year. Not a single one mentioned the rise in expulsions as an issue worth addressing. The only one that came close was Jim Carrel who alluded to seeing the influx of lower income families and the associated "behavioral demographics" the board has encountered via expulsion hearings.
Are board members aware, and just do not care? (because that is one problem) Or is the larger problem that a lack of information about expulsions precludes the issue from appearing on radar screens until some tragedy occurs?
We've spent taxpayer dollars to hire a Communications Manager to put more spin on school district issues than Rocket Roger Clemens used to put on his curve ball. So, why aren't we using this asset to turn this frown upside down? You cant just sell the good stuff. Maybe it's time the District put something together along the lines of, "Hey! You may had noticed that the number of expulsions has increased significantly. This is what happens after an expulsion (yada yada yada).
Madison is talking about the issue. So whay aren't we?
Think that you don't want to know about expulsions? That there's no story there? What about the kid from Madison who was expelled recently for bringing a knife to school--to cut an onion for a science project. He doesn't sound like Public Enemy #1. http://www.channel3000.com/news/1386173/detail.html
As a result of public outcry, Madison is now discussing a change to its zero-tolerance policy. (see http://www.channel3000./education/16042967/detail.html )
In short, instead of getting all defensive about the issue--like there's something to hide or be ashamed of--let's put a plan in place to resolve the problem. And, as long as you continue to want to keep this quiet, there are those in the public that will make public record requests to ferret out the very information that you seem to not wish to share. These stories WILL get out. It's all a question of whether the district and the board wish to be PROactive or REactive.
SP-EYE supported the high school's strict approach to handling the fighting that was occurring last year. But new issues are occurring: weapons and drugs. The public has a right to know WHAT is happening in our schools and HOW the district is dealing with it. Consequently, cramming these skeletons in a closet is not the solution....everyone knows that eventually the closet becomes overfilled, the contents spill out, and all hell breaks loose.
School board members are elected BY the people to tell us openly what is going on. To say the least, it's a question of ethics when you don't share with us the not-so-good news. We're investing in our childrens' educations. School board members and administration staff are our "portfolio managers" per se. Wouldn't you want the person who invests your future to share more than just the good news with you?
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