Bridge Builder

At the Board of Education (BOE) meeting this past Monday, the BOE released a list of employees that were being renewed for the upcoming school year.  This was done after the BOE ended their first public session, went into private session and came back out at about 10:00pm.  I noticed that the principal for Fort Lee School 1 had not been renewed.  Kristine Cecere currently holds this position.

There have been many rumors circulating about this situation, however, I do not know all the underlying facts in this matter.  What I do know is that no parent at School 1, to my knowledge, was asked for any input concerning this matter.  Shouldn’t parents be given an opportunity to opine as to the performance of an elementary school principal?  This is one of the most important positions in a school system.  This person sets the tone for how pre-adolescent children are taught, what is appropriate conduct and what is not, etc.  This person is to provide leadership and supervision to teachers who are the first line of defense to educating and mentoring children.  

I am not asking for a seat at the decision making table.  The BOE and the administration have a very difficult job.  Ultimately, the BOE and administration decides who to hire and who to fire.  This is not easy, especially in light of budget cuts and schools with failing infrastructure and overcrowding.  My concern is about process.  In my opinion, the parents are the true guardians of a school.  The parents hear the stories about what happened during lunchtime, or recess, conduct of staff in the schools or the conditions of the bathrooms.  Parents assist with homework and see what their child is learning or not learning.  Their knowledge of the day to day of a school should not be dismissed but embraced. 

I urge the BOE to give the parents an opportunity to be heard, for or against.  They should be able to present their positions to the BOE and administration before any final decision is made.  The parents are the true guardians of a school system.

 I look forward to your comments.