Reader Comments and Another Thought

As I’ve mentioned before, I am always surprised that anyone actually reads the stuff I write, and I am always more surprised that anyone actually takes time to compose a lengthy, well-written comment.

Yesterday, I received two comments from readers. I’ve posted one comment on the Tribune demise piece. The other, though aimed at Griffin and Valdes, is too offensive for even my delicate sensibilities. The gist of it was, this site is dull unless I’m making constant attacks on the board mavericks.

To that anonymous reader: Hey..this is the new me. I am determined to be less critical and more professionally engaged when writing about two unnamed employers, code-named hic and cup. Of course, when opportunity does present itself, I will, I must, out of sheer duty, report anything of note by those code-named: wanna and be

The other comment chided me for supporting a district administration that hides the truth. Actually, I do indeed believe in transparency, and I do believe reporters should take a close look at district operations.

But, do I think most negative stories about the district begin with either a reporter’s bias, or worse, with an editorial board’s bias----yes indeed.

The school district is the largest government agency in Hillsborough County and the largest employer with the largest payroll. And, it has been traditionally the most under-funded agency in the county while showing continued managerial improvement and constantly showing improved student success.

Since Mrs. Elia became superintendent, FCAT scores keep rising. She and her staff are committed workaholics and the results of their work is apparent.

I have no doubt that many complaints by parents, students, or district employees are valid. I also have no doubt that the district and administrative staff work hard to resolve those issues. Do some fall through the cracks of a huge bureaucracy? Maybe, perhaps, hmmmm, well yeah.

Point is, I’d rather depend on professional educators making decisions on education and classroom management than by “burdened” parents, students, and teachers.”

On Another Subject…….

Did we need a bullying law to stop the hockey stick and broom handle rape of a middle school boy?

If this doesn’t bring heightened awareness and sensitivity to the problem, what will? My old middle school and high school coaches, mostly former Marines, took great delight in harassing weaker kids. I guess they thought that would make them tougher. These same coaches also ignored harassment by other kids. I saw the same thing happened with teachers. I always thought we were beyond that in this day and age.

posted by admin @ 5:27 PM