Re-post from John: Pausing for a moment of reflection: This is a fine article on the superintendents dismissal, no doubt about it. But it is not complete. It is framed by those interviewed pretty much entirely by the story told by one side in the dispute: that of the Chamber and Cooper. That narrative runs something like this: Cooper was a stellar Superintendent with good policies that was treated poorly by a clueless board over really pretty pointless personnel matters. That is what makes it easy to worry out loud that we will have trouble finding another Super of similar quality. (I worry that this sort of language is a self-fulfilling prophecy that does our community no favors.) Those who found themselves opposed to Cooper and the Chamber objected to their support of particular educational policies imposed by Baton Rouge and didnt see things in quite the same way. Cooper had a spotty record which included challenges by the NACCP in Mississippi. The excellent local policies that he brought to the table cost money—money that his support for state policies like intensive and expensive testing and privatized charter schools drained from the system. He treated the board poorly not only in petty and often unnecessarily personal attacks but in clearly encroaching on their otherwise unchallenged duty to make policy. The clearest example was in going to BESE after the board had rejected Type 1 charter schools and using his slot at the end of a long meeting that had heard from a broad swath of Lafayette educators, retired educators, and parents, to urge BESE to reject their pleas and impose state-chartered schools on the district. This was entirely gratuitous, there was no doubt of the vote, and was delivered with a sort of invective that we seldom see in public, including simply saying that people in Lafayette just lie. Similarly, few doubt the responsibility of the board to set the budget, but Cooper appeared to. The budget deficit was quite real, and was driven in substantial part by charters and unfunded, dubious state mandates. Charter costs will increase on an easily calculable basis as more already-approved schools open and additional grade levels are added at each charter. Draining the rainy day fund in the face of an impending hurricane was just not responsible. Trying to make what the board saw as fiscal responsibility into a racial issue was both wrong and irresponsible given Lafayettes history. Thats the counter-narrative to the one that underpins what the people in the know recount. Reporters are not immune to absorbing that received opinion. But what should be clear at this point is that the other framing is compelling to the public, in spite of getting very little media play. That version of the truth about Cooper was clearly in play as five LPAE endorsed members won election while only 3 of the Chamber-backed group made it onto the board. Even more telling: every pro-Cooper incumbent ran—and lost his seat. Two of the 3 on the other side were re-elected. To be clear, I am not of the opinion that this election was a referendum on Cooper; thats not what I saw on the ground. But insofar as that played into the results, the credibility of the influentials version has to be suspect. It would be a good thing for the community if, as stories like this are written, the reporter has firmly in mind that there are two larger stories, not one. Framed in the alternate way, there is no reason why we should not be able to hire an excellent outside superintendent who recognizes the opportunity offered by following a super who alienated much of both his institution and the public. Saviors are always popular. But I am not of the mind that we have to hire some outside gunslinger with a brace of silver bullets in his bandolier yet again. Lets get someone who respects the community and wants to work with the elected board. Tehmi Chassion, Debbie Hargrave, Daphne Villemarette, Britt Latiolais, Dawn Morris, Ann Burruss, Toby Daspit, Mary Morrison, Mary A. Washington, Kathleen Schott Espinoza, Elroy Broussard, Hunter Beasley
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:29:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015