New Superintendent McGinley did not promise change to get her position; in fact, she had to indicate that her tenure would be more of the same. If the days between August 21st, the first day of school, and September 21st, the first day of fall, are a leading indicator, she's holding true to that promise.
Let's look at the record.
- Is CCSD still throwing everything but the kitchen sink in the path of the new Charter High School of Math and Science?
- Are meetings being held in CCSD in violation of the Freedom of Information Act?
- Has any progress been made on the details of the phantom "AP Academy" at Burke or the phantom "High-Tech High" at Rivers?
- Has any progress been made on ending de facto segregation in District 20?
- Does Fraser still have half a principal and multiple substitute teachers instead of permanent ones?
- Has Charleston Progressive received any of the resources that would make it a true magnet school instead of a magnet in name only?
- Is Buist Academy still hiding vacancies in its upper grades while a thousands-strong waiting list, well, waits?
- Have the Superintendent and Bill Lewis surprised an unsuspecting District 20 with the planned destruction of two neighborhood schools?
- Is the District now channeling resources that should have gone to CPA into a school it plans to destroy?
- Has the overflow of disgruntled Buist applicants channeled by fiat into St. Andrews Elementary caused multiple ongoing problems and an overcrowded school?
- Has the Superintendent allowed a free flow of conversation with any constituency in CCSD besides the school board?
- Is CCSD still channeling dollars into non-profits that don't produce?
- Is the Mayor still meddling in CCSD and claiming not to?
Apparently the one constant here is NO CHANGE.
No trust, either.
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6 comments:
Alot of "interim" placements at our needest high schools, North Charleston High, St. John's High, etc. What is going on?
Another year with no text books in core courses at Burke HS.
I couldn't agree more with one of Dr. McGinley's statements that appeared in her editorial from Friday's P&C. There's no excuse for not having made excellence CCSD's standard long ago and not just an elusive goal. As those who have followed the demise of our downtown schools, CCSD decided from the outset to dumb down some schools in certain areas while favoring others disproportionately. This was usually based on political expedience with little concern for the wise use of resources.
Dr. McGinley's words and actions will eventually reveal just how closely she will be associated with the image of being an expert with a brief case. The truth is that Charleston can just as easily be sold short by a local as one from more than 50 miles away. She will need to show us that she has the ability to listen. Mastering a little empathy wouldn't hurt either. She's going through the motions without really connecting so far with the people.
Maybe she's destracted. Perhaps CCSD's "modest gains" are too dazzeling or maybe it's the oposite. She didn't see just how bad things were or how overwhelming the job was until she took the corner office last June.
So far she's showing signs of developing a tin ear even though she's going through the motions of reaching out. Closed door meetings and springing reconfiguration plans (again) without public input (again) are not good signs. If excellence is to be the standard for us all, then all of us, including Dr. McGinley, need to know what is expected. It has to be a two way street.
Despite McGinley's meetings to address "at least 40" groups in the last 12 weeks, she's showing signs of being slightly deaf.
Her op-ed indicates she believes that success is only possible through "a leadership structure built on expertise and experience, not geography or tradition." A catchy idea but a truly experienced leader endowed with a sufficient degree of expertise would understand that lasting change is not possible if geography or tradition are ignored.
Tell Cash, Faulkner, Welty and Conroy that that geography and tradition are not important. In addition to writing, all were teachers, more or less. Without an author first fully understanding the setting or the characters involved, a story, leadership or a plan would all lack roots and validity.
Successful writers (and leaders) from this part of the country (including successful outsiders who just want to catch our attention) would never consider ignoring the importance of "place" and still expect to hold a paying audience here for very long? Since McGinley also wants to raise the writing skills found among CCSD's students, she might want to consider how geography and tradition might present some valuable opportunities.
The same advice holds true for a Superintendent who is looking for a following. A certain appreciation for geography and tradition is necessary if she wants to win a loyal following that includes more than just a fickle 5-4 majority on the county school board.
So far McGinley's beginning to look like just another deaf missionary. Unless she has a martyr complex or is just polishing her resume, she might want to start doing some serious listening.
For a mayor who doesn't believe "public schools" are under his juridiction or his responsibility, he sure is involved in the private ones...like the one called Meeting Street Academy. Has anyone heard of it?
I guess he thinks our public schools stink so bad, he might as well help create more private ones.
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