Indianapolis, IN

Thu 16 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about school boards. In light of the recent problems with Perry Township and their school board firing the superintendent, it got me thinking about school boards. According to an article by WTHR, the superintendent was fired because he was “insubordinate” and “used threats” to get what he wanted. So, basically in other words, he pissed off the people who hold his job. And unfortunately, they didn’t renew his contract, and it went to court and there was a settlement, and so on. The people of Perry Township are embarrassed and wonder where they will find teachers and administrators and coaches. And it makes me wonder if school boards have too much power that cannot be checked? Whatever happened to that “check and balances” we learned about in government class, so that no branch or government body can have too much power? Why isn’t there anyone to check school boards? Well, supposedly we do have the power to vote them out, but you’ll find that doesn’t work. Many people vote for the same idiots just because they are the incumbent. Or they think, “Well, they’ve always been in the school board. So, why not again?” Why don’t they have a limit to how many terms a school board member can hold? The way the system is set up is that if any employee of the school system complains about the school board or crosses them in any way, they hold their job over them. I know this personally from another school in central Indiana. I’ve seen them bully teachers and coaches and administrators and force resignations because they cross paths with them. And everyone is afraid to stand up to them. If they could figure out a way to fire everyone in the corporation, they probably would. Some of their ideas aren’t even education-oriented (or even legal!) So, what are school systems supposed to do when the people voted to make educational decisions aren’t even interested in education and just enjoy the power of knowing no one can check them? I guess it’s true what they say: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

: school boards, Perry Township schools