Ethical(?) Dilemma

[Azusateach]

I don't usually post this kind of thing anywhere, but I'm feeling really conflicted about a situation at school and would like to ask for some of your collective wisdom.

I'm now teaching 6th grade at a new (to me) school. This has been an elementary school, but over the next 3 years will become a K-8 school, with 6th-8th grade being phased in over the next 3 years. There isn't another school like it in our district, so we're kind of pioneering this concept. There have been the requisite new program hiccups, but essentially everything is going along well. The kids are really enjoying it, and by the turnout at our Back-to-School Night last week, the parents are impressed too. But one hiccup is hard for me to ignore ...

Planning for this transition has been in the works since last year. Our Principal has worked tirelessly to guarantee that everything in her power was planned for and prepared. The one thing she's had no control over were books and student desks/chairs. Not wanting to be a whiner, we received cast-off furniture from the middle schools, with some of the desks opening from the top. I haven't seen those since I was in third grade, but now have 8 in my classroom.

The bigger issue is textbooks. We still don't have enough for every child. We received a delivery of most of what we need on Friday, but we're still short. The woman from the warehouse flat-out said that the middle schools waited to send us their leftovers until they saw if they had enough -- which is TWO books per child -- one for school and one for home. And yet we still don't even have one per kid. Another thing she said was that the Assistant Superintendent said to only give us enough for the number of kids we currently have -- no extras. EVERY other class in the District has a class set, which is 35. We currently have 26 & 27 kids in our classes, so we have plenty of room for accepting new students.

On top of this, last Friday the Principal was called into the Superintendent's office and yelled at for not signing a yearly affidavit stating that we had all of our books. Essentially the Superintendent wanted her to lie in order to satisfy some report going to the Board.

Here's my dilemma: I have access to two Board of Education members. I don't want to jeopardize my Principal's job by telling them about her experience with the Superintendent, but I wouldn't be putting anyone's job on the line if I said something about still not having enough textbooks (we won't even discuss not having the accompanying teacher's texts). Is it worth a conversation with these Board members to let them know about the inequity between schools? I'm willing to go toe-to-toe with the District administration. They don't scare me. I just don't know if this is as big an issue as it feels to me.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Laura

[VickieP]

Laura, has this school always been the last in line for things or it happening for the first time this year? Do you think this new pilot program is a last effort to keep the school open?

[Azusateach]

Actually, Vickie, this is one of the top-performing schools in the District. And the whole point of the program is to keep kids from jumping ship and going to a neighboring District that's closer to this particular school (boundaries are weird sometimes). We've prevented 60 kids from leaving the District this year, and will do the same over the next 2 years -- saving the District tens of thousands of dollars. So no, there's no trying to "save" this school.

I do think that's there's some sort of passive-aggressive pissing match going on between the District suits and our Principal, and unfortunately the kids are getting caught in the crossfire. That's why I'm leaning on "enlightening" a couple of the Board members.

[Redwahine]

OH boy!! I really miss working with the kids and teachers. I sure don't miss this BS. When I was at the teaching level I choose to be an advocate for my students, their families and the school. Decisions like this I always asked myself, "what's in the best interest of my students?" This did not always make me popular, but I felt that was my job. When I moved to the state level I became the advocate for the teachers and students and fought the state to keep proper funding for books and programs like science fair, etc. It sounds like your principal is making a stand for the good of the school, teachers and students. I applaud her. She could probably use support. However, you have to decide at what level you are comfortable supporting the issue. What are the possible ramifications of you going "toe to toe"? If they are acceptable to you, go for it. If not, shut up and do your best with what you've got. Wow. Now that I'm retired I can actually say things like that

[IrishIroamed]

Laura,
What about contacting a news agency anonymously? Let them flesh out the discrepancies. Besides the parents not being informed of the book problem, the board needs to know also. Maybe that would light a fire under the correct people to get all supplies needed.

[Liz]

I agree with Red about being an advocate for students and parents. Put a bug (arm them with just the facts) in the parent's ears and let them take it to the board. That way it doesn't come from you, and the administration listens to influential parents better than they do teachers, I have found. They are always afraid of lawsuits.

[BirdbyBird]

I agree with parents leading the public discussion if you know any of the families well enough..... Another option maybe the Media...depending upon your area. In this area we have I-Teams from the TV stations that will research and report on community issues that are important and do so on their own if pointed in the right direction.....

Systems don't need to be perfect, 100% of the time, but cover ups put the concerns in a whole other basket.

[AlmostThere]

That makes me very sad if this is the "top" preforming school in the district. Shame on the board. And I agree with the parents leading the way.

[dpf]

I'd put a bug in the media's ear and the parent's ears! Give them enough info to spark their curiosity and maybe it will put some heat on the superintendent. As far as school board members, I have found that they usually only know what the administration wants them to know. I might mention to one of the board members who you know that you find it odd that one school can receive two texts per student while your students have to share texts and ask him if he knows when more funds will be allocated for texts.

[dayspring39]

I agree with most of the suggestions... think DPF 's idea is great...
I would be curious as to why the top preforming school comes up short on books and maybe supplies...
Kathleen

[Azusateach]

Well, the deed is done. I called the Board member I know and she was VERY interested in hearing about the whole thing. I didn't tell her about the Principal getting reamed out, because I know that the Admin. isn't so dumb that they couldn't figure out how a Board member found out.

I also told the Board member about our desks. We'll see what happens. Never mentioned that neither I or my colleague has the same teaching materials that the other 6th grade teachers have. Don't want to sound like we're whining. I think it's more important that the kids have what they need.

This Board member is good stuff. She said that she'll have a conversation with the Superintendent and keep names out of it. I sure hope that it doesn't come back and bite the Principal in the butt ...

Laura

[havingfunnow]

Let us know how this turns out, ok?

[linann]

It will not take long for your superintendent to figure out the information came from an employee. Sad, but this may ultimately cause even more trouble for your principal. I would definitely not go to the press, nor would I encourage parents to complain. Instead, I would figure out how to present the material and engage students.

By 2016, 60% or more of curriculum funds at our district will be spent on digital materials, surpassing the state's mandated percentage. A digital program is being piloted this year with a group of elementary, middle and high schools participating. Teachers are not issued textbooks and teaching is to the standards, not the text.