[Mpls] Peebles supporters not keeping eyes on the prize

[wmmarks]

Diane Wiley wrote:

>In response to Pam Taylor's post:  What I don't get is what do people think
>Dr. Peebles has done that's so great?  The schools under her direct
>supervision did not do as well as the rest of the district -- so why do we
>think that district employees should have to put up with her "abrasive" and
>demoralizing style. What has she accomplished that's so wonderful?
>  
>
What did you expect during the first 9 months of her tenure? She didn't 
show up in tights and a cape. Her direct supervision schools were the 
ones failing by the largest percentage; do you think anyone could have 
turned that around in 9 months? Was there a numeric goal set? Did Dr. 
Peebles fail to reach a specific goal?

She's abrasive. Get used to it. Lots of the world is abrasive. Our ears 
are not so virgin that they have never heard an abrasive word. She's not 
from MN, she's only been here 9 months, and it is even possible that she 
may not think that MN Nice is all that effective a style to use to shake 
up complacent troops to start with. We also haven't heard from Dr. 
Peebles whether or not she has been on the receiving end of some rather 
nasty stuff, even when couched in MN Nice. The board's behavior, leaking 
the nuclear option to the press being an outstanding example of the  
nasty way to treat the superintendent of schools.

>I think it's great that the board stood up to her and did what they are
>supposed to do --- supervise the superintendent.  I'm not saying she should
>be fired, I'm saying she should be supervised by the board and not let run
>amuck making people "uncomfortable" for nothing. 
>
This particular fantasy is way over the top. This is jacking up the 
issue into the red zone on the "terrorist alert" scale.

> If the "discomfort" was
>resulting in some great change and advancement, it might be worth it, and if
>it was only "discomfort", not bullying and demoralizing. 
>
And if she were white and from Minnesota. 

>Pamela and others who feel she's been mistreated by the board, I would like
>to know what it is that Dr. Peeble's has done that somehow excuses how she
>has treated people.
>  
>
We have absolutely no information that gives us the gist of any 
particular instance of any questionable behavior. We have heard the 
conclusions inherent in "abrasive" and "uncomfortable."  If she is 
instructed to make changes, she is going to challenge staff; it will be 
uncomfortable for both parties.

If this Dr. Peebles has any kind of backbone at all, she will definitely 
improve the cultural literacy of the staff. Further, the staff, if they 
have any backbone at all, can also say, for example, "Dr. Peebles, I 
think you have something important to tell me, but I'm having a hard 
time hearing it." Or even, heaven forfend, "Dr. Peebles, I don't know 
what you're asking of me. Help me with this."

The stupidity of the school board in this situation--leaking the story 
to Steve Brandt at the Strib and rumor mongering a firing through 
Brandt's article--is institutionalized racism as we practice it here in 
MN. It is not pretty.
Any board member who thought this first year was not going to be rocky 
was a fool. None of the board members seem to have made the obvious step 
to be her advocate so as to avoid some problems. But damn it to hell and 
back, if we want to change outcomes, WE are going to have to do the 
changing. Teachers, other staff, board, public, and kids. We are looking 
for a paradigm shift here and that's a bumpy ride. Peebles will change 
as she gets more comfortable with the job, but we do owe the woman the 
courtesy to make challenging statements, particularly those that make us 
uncomfortable.
.
Let's keep our eyes on the prize, educated kids.

Afterthought: Dr. James Meredith, who broke the color line at Old Miss, 
gave a lecture at Hosmer on educating Mississippi AfAm children that's a 
real eye opener. It was taped and you can go to Hosmer and watch it, I 
believe, though it's not a circulating item.

>WizardMarks, Central
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