BIG SISTER GETS IT RIGHT

Let's give credit where credit is due.  According to the Grand Rapids Press, G.R. Mayor George Heartwell (a.k.a. Big Sister) eschewed the usual leftist pieties to stick up for parents unhappy with the Grand Rapids public schools.  He criticized the school board members who had publicly excoriated parents opposing Taylor's "Iron Curtain".

Well, maybe not quite a criticism, but at least Big Sister said this:  "I know the day will come that the Grand Rapids public schools will be the schools of choice for parents in the suburban districts.  But until then, I'm disturbed by some of the attitudes from these board members."  Those board members were Arnie Smithalexander who called parents racists because they wanted to transfer their kids out of the city schools to suburban ones, and Lisa Hinkel who said those parents can either move out of the city into the 'burbs or pay tuition for a private school.

So not very stern stuff from Heartwell in light of the poisonous statements by Smithalexander and Hinkel, but remember, folks, he is taking a stand on unfamiliar territory -- i.e., neither leftist nor establishment insider.  The man may be a chameleon when it comes to political opportunity, but I sense Big Sister actually sees the real wrong in what they said.  That earns him a pat on the back.

Also, one school board member, Jim Rinck, finally expressed some concern with Smithalexander and Hinkel.  On Tuesday he said, "You don't ever tell people you disagree with to leave the city."  Then he softened that tepid admonishment by explaining that the two probably got a little too enthusiastic in their support of Taylor's anti-transfer policy.  And just to make it clear which side of Taylor's "Iron Curtain" he is on, Rinck suggested that parents who don't want their kids to attend Grand Rapids public schools don't have a real beef because the schools aren't actually "crawling with gangs and violence".  No, the violence is merely common not epidemic.  Shame on those parents for wanting discipline in the classroom to be common instead.

Well, it's probably too much to expect both Big Sister and the school board to stand by parents.  But at least one has, and that's a change for the better.

Comments

[Mr. Smith]

Can an Ostritch be a Leader? I don't think so, this School Board has a history of sticking their collective heads in the sand and engaging in the blame game. The simple truth is that our Schools are failing because of Newby's legacy of promoting yes man/women to surround herself with and her screwy curriculum that Teachers could not get in touch with, then of course there was the blending of grades which really meant more kids for teachers to contend with, even though para pros were supposed to assist, coupled with disobediance of unruly students and Principals who have their hands tied because they won't or can't discipline, oh and least we forget tenured teachers who are fed up with the whole thing and just do whatever it takes to get by. So to sum things up you have.
1. A school board that is ineffective.
2. A legacy of incompetence from prior Administrators.
3. Disobediant Children who are sent to a Student Responsibility Center for acting out (revolving door)
4. Teachers would like to discipline but can't, and Principals won't.
5. Low morale and apathy from teachers. (understandable)

Racism goes in all directions, forget diversity, lets focus on what makes us all the same and stop pointing out peoples differences. And now of course another administrator who erects an Iron Curtain, which has the potential of making people not just move their children to other schools and still live the district, but altogether flee in mass. Just to let you know, I think Com. Paul Mayhue hit it on the head with his reasoning of corporal punishment. I am a product of it, I am not scarred, I can read, write, and even like math.I have never been to jail, I have a great job, I love my kids and care about others. In this day, where people rush to do the "right thing" we end up screwing ourselves by not applying common sense. If we aren't going to use history to better ourselves, then why bother teaching it?

[Joe]

The biggest display of racism is the failure of GRPS. They write off inner-city children as "unable to learn" and then throw their hands up. Time to lift the charter cap.

[Mr. Smith]

I am not impressed with my experiences of the Charter Schools. For the most part, they are not in tune with public curriculum , meaning that kids that go there struggle in their first year of High School in different districts, like northview, comstock, forest hills, etc. If you look at a school like Iroquois, where a few years ago, everyone dressed the same and simple golden rule approaches were held in high regard, success was plentiful.I am not sure how they are fairing presently. What I am trying to say is that there are too many liberties in the schools for students. Also, team building is non-existent, it is all about the individual trying to impress the other kids, good or bad. MTV use to be about music videos, now it is nothing but a bunch of whiners with feelings of entitlement for what everone else had to work for. This generation doesn't appreciate having to work to succeed. Kids need to be guided at home and school. I have worked in the inner city for many years now, hope is not lost, I see wonderful kids everyday. But, a few bad ones can ruin a class/school quickly. Discipline is a must, students need to be held accountable so do parents and teachers. People say private schools are the way to go. How about enticing some of their teachers over to learn what works? Schools also have a habit of passing the buck, or sending kids off to the next higher grade when they don't deserve to be passed. When I was in school, fear of not passing compelled me to do well, now days kids get by with a "whatever" attitude. The practice of non-accountability needs to end!!!!GRPS screwed up when they failed to keep Connie Collins.

[Nick]

I'm a proud graduate of the GRPS but man alive... those comments were ridiculous. Sadly, they're just par for the course with the current school board and the administrators they've got running that show.

I still have siblings in the system and my parents have NEVER been as discouraged about their prospects for a decent education as they are now.

--Nick
www.RightMichigan.com

[Amie]

Wow.
So parents are "racist" because they want their children to have a good opportunity at getting a good education by moving them out of a failing public school system?

Amazing.....

[beentheredonethat]

With Jim, the lone dissenting voice on the Board, gone and having the others being responsible for picking his replacement............

well, it will give LAW participants something to talk about on a regular basis, I'm sure!

All I can say is it must have gotten really bad for Jim to quit.