Archive: Opinions

Letters to the EditorI agree with Mrs. Shattuck that these are trying times for Lansing's school district. I also agree that we share some responsibility for the current financial situation. Most of us believe and trust that our democratic process for selecting administrators and electing school board members will, in and of itself, bring what is best for our district. And, I agree with Mrs. Shattuck that the ultimate responsibility for the "school budget and district spending lies with the school board not the superintendent or the business manager." Since the school board works from the recommendations of the superintendent and business manager, trusting our administrators is key.

I listened to Mr. Lawrence, our business manager at the time, at a board meeting last spring. He said that if we made the big sacrifice to use our reserves for the upcoming year, we would be in good shape the following year. We all listened to Dr. Lewis and Ms. Pichette explain and justify the expenses of our budget. There were objections raised and pointed questions asked by a former Lansing business administrator and many other community members. The BOE members (with the exception of one and sometimes two) trusted these administrators and approved the budget. Many community members shared this trust when the budget vote passed. However, now we see that this trust was betrayed. According to the current records, the former administration overspent/and or under budgeted over 100 different budget codes.

The faculty and staff of Lansing, for the most part, did not trust our former top administration. Yes, we did have a part in a collaborative process during the selection of the last administrative team. I sat, as LFA president, on the interview committees for all three and looked forward to a strong leadership team that would work with all members of our district. This was not to be. Not one of these administrators worked "with" teachers and staff contrary to the democratic philosophies they claimed to have during their interviews. In reality, the top administration was autocratic, and dictated decisions they made among themselves. This style resulted in at least 3 legal grievances (not one had occurred in over 7 years) with more threatened. Trust and morale was so damaged that the faculty leadership and superintendent abandoned regular proactive meetings. The Board of Education leadership was made aware of this hostile situation yet nothing changed. This should have been a warning sign to the Board of Education -personnel issues were not being handled well and we needed their help.

It was very clear to many of the Lansing district's personnel that our administration could no longer be trusted. Trust is deserved and earned once competency, honesty, and transparency are demonstrated. It is not deserved simply because one holds an elected or hired position.

The new administration has inherited a horrible budget situation. As this is written on the last day of March, I am aware of at least 6 teaching positions that will be eliminated for the 2008-2009 school year. I am not sure what Mrs. Shattuck is talking about when she states our school budget is based on "wish lists." I have taught in Lansing for 20 years and have never been presented with an opportunity to make a budget "wish-list." I do recall, however, when our district was fiscally responsible enough to provide field trips for our children.

The new administration is handling this difficult situation with openness and directness. It will not be easy but often the hard times can foster a united spirit among the staff. Maybe earned trust will once again bring harmony to the Lansing School District.

 

From: Susan Henne
Ithaca,NY 14850