http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17288606

How to tell if your School District is Infected by the Broad Virus

Repeated use of the terms “excellence” and “best practices” and “data-driven decisions.” (Coupled with a noted absence of any of the above.)

Culture of fear of reprisal develops in which teachers, principals, staff, even parents feel afraid to speak up against the policies of the district or the superintendent.

Teachers are no longer referred to as people, educators, colleagues, staff, or even “human resources,” but as “human capital.”

Teach for America, Inc., novices are suddenly brought into the district, despite no shortage of fully qualified teachers.

Local newspaper fails to report on much of this.

Local newspaper never mentions the words “Broad Foundation.”

http://parentsacrossamerica.org/2011/04/how-to-tell-if-your-school-district-is-infected-by-the-broad-virus/

I guess the Broad Academy doesn’t teach MANNERS, public speaking, public relations, or how to successfully woo your constituents and employees. If I have to hear or read one more quote where he says, “Uh,” or “Um,” I just might scream. I could make a Saturday Night Live skit of his board meetings.

He doesn’t care about us as a community. HE is here to make a name for himself and another notch on his belt. As soon as his contract is up, he will be gone. The same BOE members who HIRED him will be the same ones that FIRE him right before their reelection campaign.

Exactly. But we have to be sure the upcoming open seats don’t go to people who will join with current three.

In short, there’s a long time between then and now. If we wait for the correction of the polls, it will be too late.

GO TO THE POLLS …like citizens have been doing in North Carolina when they took issue with their superintendent (same background training and philosophy)…votes cast brought in a new board with a different mindset.

Board Vice President Laurie McCaulley asked about his experience transforming underperforming schools. By using a systemic process of change that promotes continuous school improvement, King said, his system has seen one of its lowest performing schools recognized last year for making the most improvement in the state.
Financial crises also were an important issue discussed during King’s interview.
“I think that’s an issue that many school systems across the country are faced with,” King said.
The Muncie system has faced financial challenges for a number of years, due to declining enrollment. The system established a blue ribbon task force to identify a cross-section of the community and get them involved in increasing the schools’ efficiencies.

This is the kind of Instructional Leader I wish we had.

The lone African American and best qualified finalist for the Superientendent job was disqualified because of the way he handled a rape case.
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/05/huntsville_board_begins_superi.html

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/north_central/prosecutors-probe-muncie-schools-after-possible-rape

Former Lee Assistant Principal Cleavon Eason was cleared of charges of inappropriate contact but Wardynski said he still wanted to fired him.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/10/school_system_will_seek_termin.html