What does July 1st mean for EUSD?

Today, July 1st, 2009, will hopefully mark a passage into a new era at EUSD, as Lean King fades into the rear-view mirror of history, and our hopes remain high that Dr. Tim Baird will bring a genuinely fresh set of eyes to the institution. Still, we remain guarded in our optimism since it has been the board of trustees that has been primarily culpable, allowing and abetting Mr. King in his divisive course. Perhaps, if Dr. Baird puts forth a positive and sincere effort, the board will fall into step with him, reversing course as they so quickly seemed to do after the departure of Dr. DeVore. While none of us (bloggers) is particularly partisan, and we have no affiliation with the board's list of “usual suspects” (ie – we aren't TIP parents), we feel it important to mention that this fault lies with the longstanding members of the school board, and not, as yet, with the board member who is new to the situation, Maureen Muir. To date she seems to be exhibiting a strong streak of independence, which is, in itself, a very hopeful sign. Her unaccompanied appearances out-and-about at the schools has not gone unnoticed, her presence at such events as EEF meetings, and her willingness to speak up against the normally lock-step majority in board meetings on issues like academic consultant rates, are all laudable and refreshing. It seems, to those of us who've been around awhile, that there was a time when Mrs. Skiljan and Mr. Parker were of a similar nature: independent in their thoughts and comments. With any luck and the influence of a new superintendent, perhaps they will rekindle or dust off those qualities within themselves. For Mrs. Strich and particularly Mrs. Regan, for differing reasons, there seems to be no cause for optimism in this area. That topic will lend itself to a separate blog entry, forthcoming.

For today, let's welcome Dr. Baird with genuine goodwill, and give him the benefit of the doubt: Perhaps he is his own person, makes his own assessments of situations, of people, of right and wrong, and will come to see clearly the very great task that lies before him. He has waded into the middle of the muck that has been carefully stirred and fermented by his predecessor over these last few years, and he will need the support and help of all of us if he is to steer the district toward a restoration of its former “self”.

On a somewhat tangential note, one of us, a teacher in the district, found last week that this blog's website has evidently been blocked by the district and can no longer be accessed from school campuses, with the administration using its Internet filter to accomplish this. Apparently Mr. King wanted to get off one parting shot before his tenure came to a close, though it was too little, too late, since teaching staff has been advised that campuses are closed for the summer and office staff seem to be gone as well. Still, this is a quintessential example of the Lean King method of engaging dissent: quash, derail, and stifle, using bully tactics and his position of control to do so. The Internet filter, supposedly in place to protect students from pornography and hate-group websites, seems to be quickly and easily co-opted for use in censoring open discussion that Mr. King and/or the board find unpalatable. It is regrettable that they would choose to use technology, which can so easily foster discussion and open exchange of ideas, as a means of suppressing those things, and bears a sad similarity to larger world events (Lean Ahmadinejad?). They encourage us as educators to use it in a way that promotes collaboration, but we must point out to the many EUSD employees who are following this blog and have sent email and comments, be aware that the administration evidently does not have qualms about using the technology police to shape the information you see while at school. Sad. Perhaps the new guy will reconsider.