We could do better

To the editor:

Is anyone else getting sick of nearly weekly reports of school leaders, both administrators and school board members, behaving in a manner for which second graders would be reprimanded?

I submit that this is what happens when extra layers of authority and supervision are inserted between us voters and those who ultimately work for us; in this case, the superintendent of schools.

I had ties to the school system in the early 1970s, at which point the superintendent was elected. And when he or she answered directly to all of us – parents, grandparents, former students, educators – taxpayers in general, the school district’s mission to educate was not constantly at the mercy of this level of sniping and bickering and generally childish behavior from all angles. Superintendents were in place for a set term. If they did a good job, we the people rehired/ re-elected them. If they did not, we the people fired/ replaced them.

Was that process political? Sure, but at least the superintendent had to keep the majority voters happy, a far higher standard of performance than currently when their mission seems to be to navigate the personal and political opinions and individual foibles of only five people and keep at least three of them appeased.

As of 2011 (the most recent statistics available according to the Osceola County Library’s reference department), 41 school districts in Florida elect their superintendents. Only 26 appoint them. Perhaps Osceola School District being part of that minority is the real crux of the problem. Five school board members and a superintendent who has to concentrate on tiptoeing around them can’t seem to keep the situation civil, professional or under control.

I’ll bet all of us together could do better.

L. Jean Olson

Kissimmee