More public school madness

[keepthefaith]

Big local story here in Chicago area and it's getting national attention. The parent that was arranging the travel plans was informed of the decision by phone from Superintendent Fornero, but the Superintendent denies publically that it was his decision stating it was his assistant (of course he cannot overrule her).

 

 

- - - - - After winning its first conference championship in 26 years, the Highland Park High School girls varsity basketball team has been told by the school district that they cannot attend a basketball tournament in Arizona.

 

The players were paying for the trip by selling cookies for months to raise the necessary funds. However, they learned they couldn't go on the trip because of Arizona's new crackdown on illegal immigrants.

According to the Chicago Tribune, safety concerns partly fueled the decision, but the trip also "would not be aligned with our beliefs and values," said District 113 Assistant Superintendent Suzan Hebson. She didn't say whose beliefs and values she was talking about in the public school district.

 

Parents of the players and the players themselves are angry over the decision. They are disgusted that the school district is mixing politics and a high school basketball tournament.

 

District 113 Superintendent George Fornero declined to comment to the media claiming it wasn't his decision although he is the chief executive of the district. The board of education employs the Superintendent.

 

Assistant Superintendent Hebson said Arizona is off-limits because of uncertainty about how the new law will be enforced. Hebson didn't explain how the enforcement of the law, which mimics federal law, will affect a group of high school students. Moreover, Arizona proponents of the law have argued that the law will make Arizona safer.

 

The parents had not decided if they will appeal the administration's decision to the school board, which has the power to overrule the superintendent and his assistant.

[Chef Jim]

Maybe he has some Mexicans on the team?

 

Who would probably really love to play in that tournament.

[OCinBuffalo]

That "safety" thing is such a crock. These school officials should be fired. As if we don't have enough problems facing our youth, when they actually work together to do something positive, this is what they get for it?

 

What kind of message are they sending? "What you did and your success doesn't matter, because our political agenda rules all things, even when it couldn't be more irrelevant? Better learn that lesson now kids, there is no low that we liberals won't stoop to when we don't get our way."

 

"Hebson didn't explain how the enforcement of the law, which mimics federal law, will affect a group of high school students."

 

This tells you all you need to know. On second thought, who is the child here, and who is the adult? Seems like the kids are exhibiting adult behavior, and, no surprise, the liberal Assistant Superintendent is acting like a child.

 

And, does the word "leadership" mean anything to the Superintendent? It's your district pal, step up, do the right thing and tell your assistant, and everyone else, that you are the boss, not her. While it may be your prerogative to support her, when she screws up, it's your duty to make it right. If she can't deal with the simple reality she is your subordinate, then you have bigger problems with her than this. You are the boss, and that means you, not your people, are ultimately responsible. Yeah, it sucks when stuff like this happens and you feel terrible, but if you can't deal with it, don't be the boss. Managers manage. Candy asses walk.

 

I suppose real leadership is a foreign concept to these people though.