Uncommon Sense: I told you so

Last week’s Ledger provided the kind of in-your-face juxtaposition that one would be hard-pressed to miss. There, on the front page, were two headlines that couldn’t be more obvious in their irony. “Roelle receives $10,000 bonus,” said one. “District tackles low staff morale,” said the other. All that was missing was a third headline that said, “Well, DUH!” The connection would seem to be hard to miss, and I know — because I have “inside information” — that these stories, along with the Ledger editorial, “A dreary month for Roelle,” have been traded widely among school staff members. Yet I have to wonder whether any of the members of our school board are able to make the connection.

Complete Column >>> Uncommon Sense: I told you so.

Comments

[Karen Jahn]

I think she (Nancy) was under qualified. Seemed nice and yet didn't do some of the things required for someone running for elected office such as submit a resume to the Journal News. How could you get to know what she wanted? Go to the debate? Watch it on the LHUD web site? So how bad did she really want the job? I also don't believe the dewey decimal system is the thing our kids are lacking in the school system. That said, I agree with the bonus point. Poor timing, premature. If your organization had layoffs, restructing, reorganization, new people, set a new tone at the top, folks addressing controls, even an audit, change at the BOE level as well - your employees may be a bit unhappy. Some were unhappy before these changes given the fighting on the BOE a few years ago. This is something they have to work through .. unfortunately the public may not express empathy for the situation because they are going through the same thing at their own places of employment....I don't object to not running the place like a Mom and Pop store.. some of these changes were needed on the other hand employee morale and culture change will take years...

[robert t dixon]

Hi Karen:

As usual, you have done your homework! You have some good points, but---

My concern, as an older person, who did not see a TV set until a senior in high school is that I am not sure that in this relentless, increasingly
fast moving world, the K-L employees or any others in the nation's work force will have enough time to adjust to present circumstances plus those surely to come very soon. I am not sure that in this environment there is enough leadership care or talent in the academic world (or anywhere else) to help them . You may have hit the nail on the head when you say others are going through the same thing to the extent they can not express empathy (a word much more complex than sympathy). When people cannot express empathy, I suspect we are in trouble.

Thank goodness we have prozac

God Bless

Bob D

[Karen Jahn]

Bob, you are correct we do need leadership in the educational system or your words environment. Not just to handle the issue that we are exchanging thoughts about but true changes and reform. Crisis is always a time to make changes but then it could be too late with too much damage. We are also talking about NYS, unions and some elected folks who also do other things during the day. So morale is just a piece of the pie that needs strong leadership in many corners. I know parents are concerned about the present "circumstances" and I have seen many voice their concerns to the KLSD. I also know that many try in this environment to express their appreciation to the individual teachers that have connected with their students and children. The public doesn't see those individual acts. That said, it is a long road because we know that isn't enough when folks have limited bandwidth with the problems at home.

I don't think prozac is the answer either but you have to go through these steps of some storming before you can find the shared ground to move ahead. If you expect to go through those steps then you get to the end. .. you just don't see it while you are in the beginning stages and that is what the organization is going through.. the beginning steps.

[robert t dixon]

Hi Karen:

Thanks for your thoughts.
I agree crisis is a time to make changes. I pray (hope) that it is not so prevalent that it is creeping into so many corners of peoples' lives that they become overwhelmed, jaded or worse.

Certainly prozac is not the long term answer.

During crisis good leadership is key to the first step of making needed changes. I like the fact that you mentioned "true changes and reform". What effort and talent that takes! So who has that unique trait and will step forward?

Karen: I think it is time for you to consider running for the board in the spring of 2010. Your ability to breakdown a problem situation into manageable segments is a unique gift. You certainly know how to get things done. K-L needs you at the next level.

As always:

Bob D

[Karen Jahn]

Bob, you must be on that short term prozac you mentioned :-) ... I doubt many of the folks who read this blog would support that idea including some close family members.... I am rather outspoken ... but you also know while I have been lumped in with PTO ladies and cheerleaders.. I am quite the pain and a horrible cheerleader. I can't even do a split.

[Brent Hailpern]

Personally, I like "outspoken" - especially when not combined with "cheerleading" for either side.

[robert t dixon]

Hi Karen:

Well, if you can not do a split, how about running for office in Albany. I see in today's LoHud there is a lot of talk about throwing all the bastards out and getting a new constitutional convention going.
Perhaps you could be instrumental in bringing about meaningful education reform via that avenue.

Bob D

[Karen Jahn]

Well I guess I would have to enlist you and Brent as campaign managers! Don't you think our jury selection process should be used to replace our friends in Albany? Can you imagine the interview questions? We could get a pretty good pool of candidates.

[Brent Hailpern]

@Karen - Sorry...after my "15 min of fame" I have sworn off politics.

[robert t dixon]

Karen:

Too bad Brent has sworn off politics. I was thinking the three of us plus Don(the great spin master)as press secretary would have made a formidable team.

First thing on your agenda could be to get all winter legislative sessions moved to Key West and the summer ones to the Hamptons. I am sure our press secretary would figure out some good reasons for the changes of venue.

Perhaps the second item could be an Albany mandate to drain Truesdale Lake and convert the lake bed to town playing fields and a new campus for the long awaited library and seniors center.

Bob D