The extent to which mechanistic thinking is corrupting our culture might be illustrated in relation to any number of fields of activity. For instance, our educational system suffers disastrously from the dominion of the administrative mind, which is, by the very nature of modern administration, generally mechanistic in its thinking (and therefore unfitted to overlook strictly human affairs). It is a well-worn, but none the less just, joke among teachers that education is now a minor by-product of local authority administration. Classroom work is overlooked by superfluous local organizers. A county’s schools will be run from the authority’s central office rather as a ring of chain-stores is run from headquarters. As the grip of the administrator tightens, the authority and influence of the teacher and headmaster are correspondingly reduced. The headmaster is increasingly prevented from regarding himself as the leader of a vital community of persons. The telephone stands on his desk to remind him that, like the manager of a branch-store, he is in charge of one among a network of mechanisms operated from headquarters. The headmaster, who ought to be the link between school and parents, is now the link between the school and the local authority’s offices. The wheel has come full circle. Men of personal conviction, with vision and purpose, are often considered too “dangerous” to be appointed to headships. Some appointing authorities seek “safe”, mediocre men who will sit meekly at the far end of the telephone wire and do what they are told.
So wrote Harry Blamires (a student of C. S. Lewis) in his 1963 book, “The Christian Mind.” He was talking about the schools in England at the time, but his words could just as easily be applied to the schools in Peoria in 2010. It wasn’t that long ago that the District 150 Board of Education changed a student’s grade over the objections of the teacher and principal due to political pressure brought by the student’s parents. And the top-heavy nature of administration at District 150 has been demonstrated numerous times.
The usual solution proposed is to cut a number of administrators so that it’s more proportionate to the number of teachers and students, but otherwise to keep the basic organization the same. The question is, is that the best solution? Or might a better solution be something more radical — like decentralizing District 150 completely?
Imagine if each principal were made responsible for his or her own school. The money would follow the students, and the principal would be in charge of decision making and resource allocation. The principal would also be held accountable for meeting or exceeding state/federal academic performance standards.
To a great extent, this is how charter schools are organized. But what if, instead of turning a school over to a private organization, the school district simply empowered its own principals, and gave them the same freedom and responsibility it has given the charter school? To be sure, some principals — the mediocre ones Blamires described as nothing more than branch managers who do what they’re told — would have to be replaced. But once competent leaders were appointed to each school, couldn’t the results be at least as good as what is hoped for from the charter school experiment?
School autonomy is not untried. School districts in large cities such as Houston, Seattle, and Cincinnati have tried it, and England has moved toward decentralization since the 1990s. They call it “Local Management of Schools.”
With the arrival of a new superintendent, perhaps the time is right for a new paradigm in District 150.
For further reading: “Schools take a lesson from big business” (USA Today, 3/9/2006); “Decentralized Decisionmaking for Schools” (RAND Corporation white paper)
I strongly believe that decisions made in the classroom by teachers should stand, unless there are valid reasons by principals to change them. Likewise, school boards should not interfere with decisions made by principals without valid reason. But remember, voters elect school board’s to make policy and to be the FINAL group responsible for quality education.
There is always going to be conflict.
I agree that the elected school board and the superintendent they select are ultimately in charge of the district. However, each principal ought to be empowered to be sure the school is operating as it should. The example of Mrs. Perkins and Harrison School comes to mind.
William Ouchi is a renowned business management professor who has studied extensively on this very issue. Here is a short article discussing his thoughts:
http://www.strategy-business.com/media/file/sb43_06212.pdf
He also wrote a 2003 book, “Making Schools Work”, in which in outlines seven keys to success for the public school system:
# 1.Every principal is an entrepreneur. (as in the opposite of a bureaucrat)
# 2.Every school controls its own budget.
# 3.Everyone is accountable for student performance and for budgets.
# 4.Everyone delegates authority to those below.
# 5.There is a burning focus on student achievement.
# 6.Every school is a community of learners.
# 7.Families have real choices among a variety of unique schools.
His work is inspired by the success of the Edmonton school system in Canada and from schools in Seattle and Houston who followed Edmonton’s model of decentralization.
He doesn’t believe in vouchers – though he is fine with charter schools – and isn’t opposed to tenure. He takes a very pragmatic approach to solving the current system.
The schools are funded with a budget that is determined by the make-up of each student enrolled at the school. Every student has a base allowance attributable to him. He also gets a specific additional funding for certain attributes (mental or physical disability, low income, etc.)
More than anything, changing the system requires a those with power now to give up control. My understanding is that Dr. Lathan is a firm believer in decentralization and will be shaking things up. Many have seen the writing on the wall and chosen to leave or retire early. Dr. Durflinger has played the bad guy to allow Dr. Lathan as clean a slate as possible.
A school is a place to educate the next generation. That means we give them the benefit of our experience, and accomplishments; that is we teach them history and basic skills (math, communication, science)
We do this, not to make our world better, but so they can make THEIR world better. The world of the future doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to them. We can not create it for them, they must be given the ability to create it for themselves.
What kind of community teaches them how to create their own world? A huge bureaucratic organization in which they are little more than numbers on a class roster… no longer individuals (except when it comes to assessment)?
Or does a neighborhood school system, with the specific needs and desires of the children in those neighborhoods as organizing principles make more sense?
I have been advocating this for 20 years. As for the Principal, he shouldn’t be an administrator. He should be a teacher. He should be one of the team of faculty at the school that, like a team rotates responsibilities to “captain” the team throughout the members. Each teacher rotates through the administration duties on a regular, maybe 10 year, schedule. Teach ten years, take over administration duties for 2 or something like that.
Yes, Jon, Ouchi is innovative and brilliant. However, the time for vouchers has come. We can not expect people to take charge of their education if we won’t let them be in charge of their educational choices.
UNRELATED (sort of): school text books and History
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-march-17-2010/don-t-mess-with-textbooks
Here’s what will REALLY fix inequities within a district: No attendance zones. Any student can enroll in any school that serves his or her age group. Students apply to enroll each spring. Returning students get first crack at open spots. If there’s not enough spaces, it’s done by lottery. Teacher assignments are made BEFORE open enrollment. If you don’t get in to the school across the street from you, tough.
Won’t happen, though. People with money and clout tend to LOVE the schools and teachers principals assign to them.
Principals are too easily influenced.
Do you think a principal with the Weaver or the Hoerr family to answer to is going to give the Johnson family any consideration? I think not.
Emerge-
Not all principals are that easily influenced. Julie McArdle did not bow down to a certain congressman’s sister who was married to a Hoerr and was PTO president. Of course look how that ended up for Julie. Of course she also questioned why students from outside the Lindbergh attendance area were allowed to attend Lindbergh. Some principals will do the right thing regardless of the political pressure.
It should be noted that this same person wrote a letter to the editor (PJS) supporting Mary Davis.
Emerge – Whether or not someone is integrity compromised and/or will easily submit to political pressure is more of a function of their individual character than their title or position. We all know maintenance workers who have more integrity in their little finger than say, the areas “top” Administrators.
Billy:”Here’s what will REALLY fix inequities within a district”
So, I guess unequal bad education is the goal?
The system can not be fixed. It can not be fixed any more than our financial industry can be fixed. It can not be fixed any more than our legal system can be fixed. You can not fix inherently and intentionally dysfunctional systems.
We do not live in the country our founders anticipated. We live in a corporate plutocracy. Our legislative processes, our legal processes, our economic systems are owned and run by those artificial persons we call corporations. Perhaps you think that is the way it should be… after all they are the ones that give us jobs and health care and retirement benefits and paid vacations, they underwrite our educational system, they buy and sell our elected officials and appointed judges… or don’t (as they feel like it). By the way… The first 5 things are guaranteed by The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, to which The United States of America is both a contributing author and signatory. The last is prohibited by our Constitution.
Emerge: Julie treated EVERYONE equally, that is why she is in this situation right now. Weaver, Hoerr, Johnson, those names mean nothing to Julie, she was hired to be an instructional leader for the teachers of Lindbergh and a support to families and students. Politics were never anything she was interested in, although if you wanted to elect an HONEST politician, McArdle would be the one.
I’m inclined to agree with Emerge (and Billie who came to more or less the same conclusion) about the Weavers and Hoerrs vs. the Johnsons. Although it may sound more democratic, fair, etc., for parents to choose whatever school they want, I fear it will end up being another “haves” and “have-nots” situation even worse than we now have. I just received some Edison information and learned that the largest group of those who choose Northmoor are from Charter Oak. How does that make any sense? Charter Oak is very competitive (and sometimes superior) with Northmoor (if test scores are the determining factor). I don’t see that this particular “choice” is really helping families to choose a “better” school for their children–they’re just choosing between equals.
Just to be clear – I don’t know anything about a Hoerr, Weaver, or a Johnson – I just used those names for example. If those names have anything to do with McArdle, it’s news to me.
Emerge – How ironic! Glad you cleared that up.
Emerge–those were fairly good names to pull out of a hat for your example. 🙂 As far as I know, they have nothing to do with the McArdle case though.
Let’s boil this issue down to the lowest common denominator–$$$$ bestowed to schools from John Q. Public. Unfortunatly, Ye Olde Neighborhoode Schoole of Yore (with the All-Powerful Principal), has gone the way of the dodo and will never be anything but a fond memory of those who experienced learning in its finest hour. I guess it was because too many schools received more money than others because–but not always–of demographics. We’ve devolved, instead, into the mindset of those who “govern” Uncle Sam: just spend, spend, spend on anything that looks nothing like educating children….
G. K. Chesterton said, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”
Dear God, what’s happened to our soul?
Billy Dennis says: “Here’s what will REALLY fix inequities within a district: No attendance zones. Any student can enroll in any school that serves his or her age group. Students apply to enroll each spring. Returning students get first crack at open spots. If there’s not enough spaces, it’s done by lottery. Teacher assignments are made BEFORE open enrollment. If you don’t get in to the school across the street from you, tough.
I say it happens. They are called Charter Schools and or Gifted Schools. The “well connected” will get their student in lottery or no lottery.
Keith – Your dishing out a lot in your post. Ms. Hoerr is a good friend of mine. She also has been a tireless volunteer for the schools her children have attended. She organized many an event when no other volunteers would step up to the plate.
hey frustrated…..lol
Oops! I guess I was wrong–didn’t know that Aaron’s sister’s last name was Hoerr. I guess Emerge’s choice of names was more significant than I thought.
Hey Frustrated: If I am not mistaken, a good friend of yours who was one of those who applauded at the board meeting about a year ago when Julie was terminated. “Tireless” volunteering and organizing events does not give one the luxury to display such pig like behavior.
Honestman – I have no firsthand knowledge of McArdle’s leadership while at Lindbergh. I received feedback from many sources that she was not effective. Some bloggers see otherwise. I also heard constant positive reviews of Davis’ leadership while at Lindbergh, which others here on this blog take exception too. On several occasions, I had contact with Davis on matters (not as a parent) and I found her to be a decisive leader. I can’t say the same for other principals at the District that I have encountered over the years.
Were Ms. Hoerr and other Lindbergh families instrumental in Ms. Ardle’s departure? Perhaps they were, I have no idea. But shouldn’t they have influence?? Isn’t that what everyone on this blog complains about? They want a voice. They want to be heard.
I currently am determined to rid my child’s school (not Dist. 150) of an ineffective science teacher and have been very vocal about it to administration. Does that make me evil? Maybe it just makes me a parent that is interested in looking out for the best interest of my child’s education. I imagine that was what Ms. Hoerr’s intentions were as well.
Frustrated, in the case of McArdle, it is very clear that there was a division at Lindbergh. Some pro-McArdle and some anti-McArdle. Since such a conflict of opinion was the case (and considering McArdle had only been at Lindbergh for such a short time–too short to make a fair decision), how can you as a bystander be so sure that McArdle should have been fired? I have wondered why you seem so convinced that the charges against Davis will prove to be unfounded–now I understand. I will be curious to find out how you will feel if you find that Davis is guilty. I am, also, curious to know how many other parents feel that your child’s science teacher is ineffective. Your terminology “to rid” my child’s school of a teacher is somewhat frightening to me.
Sharon – I have no opinion regarding McArdle’s termination. Your observation of the situation seems to be a fair one. Perhaps she was let go prematurely. My point was simply as you have stated — there were different satisfaction levels with her performance.
My children’s school is filled with outstanding, dedicated teachers. The school made a mistake when they hired the science teacher — those things happen. What is important is what administration does to remedy the situation. Sometimes simply acknowledging their is a problem appeases families, rather than denying one exists or shoving it under the rug. District 150 would do well to recognize this technique. Yes, many other families are unhappy with the science teacher, few have come forward, but they are starting to.
My children have attended 5 different schools and it has been my experience that parents are reluctant to complain about a teacher, unless his or her performance is really substandard. So, if a number of parents are coming forward about a particular teacher,princiapl, etc. then administration should take notice and investigate.
Frustrated: Do you have any idea how much information you just gave McArdle’s attorney regarding her civil case? My guess, YOUR FRIEND will be one of the FIRST witnesses if this goes to trial. As far as “ridding a school” of their science teacher, may I suggest that a GREAT teacher is only as GREAT as the administrator that hired him/her. Has this administrator been mentoring or helping this teacher? Or, as in the McArdle case, just listened to parents bi&ch and moan about them, then fire them because a “certain” group of parents wanted that person out? PS: you need much better sources from Lindbergh if you believe that Davis was “good” and McArdle wasn’t.
If what Frustrated just said is the information McArdle’s attorney is looking at to help her civil case, her civil case is dead.
hey wow: have you read the charges? have you read the contract?
Hey Frustrated: Julie was a very good principal who treated all teachers and parents equal. The Fav 5 and those looking in and the parents with money who bitched because they didn’t get their way was the problem.If they didn’t get their way they called MD at the Administration office. There are good teachers at that school who really care about the children and treat everyone as equal and not as selective about what kids they don’t want in their classrooms like the Fav5. Having only 3 to 4 kids all day in your classroom is very selective.These MD followers and rich parents don’t run the school even though they think they do. Let good principals like Julie and good teachers, not the Fav 5 have their chance and see how much better the schools can be run and how much more the kids will learn.
I predict that when the facts come out and the dust settles, there are going to be a lot of red-faced Davis supporters.
Hey wow-
I can assure you Julie’s civil case is far from dead. Anybody with any intelligence should realize that corruption exists (has existed) in D150. Julie refused to play along and was consequently fired. As stated above read the complaint. From recent news in the media it appears that the corruption may be far more prevalent than originally thought. I think when it is all said and done there will be more than MD held accountable for their wrong doings.
Is is very easy for people to crticize principals. Not everyone will agree with their decisions. It is even more difficult when your efforts are being sabotaged by your supervisor in order to cover her tracks. I hope and pray that this goes to trial so the public will be privy to all of the facts. I believe that many, many people will realize that they had been fooled by Mary.
Another question for bloggers. If Julie had not come forward how would D150 be today? Would Hinton still be working? Would Broderick still be at D150? Would Norm Durflinger have had the opportunity to clean house? Would others be coming forward to report abuses of power? Don’t know for sure, but it is something to think about. Instead of people questioning Julie’s leadership they should be thanking her for having the courage to travel down a very difficult road.
Spot on, Keith. Julie kicked over the first domino (rightfully so), now the house of hinton falls.
Keith – Quit being silly. You know the McArdle case will never see the light of day. They will throw a lot of money at it and make it go away. They would never want the corrupt and/or extremely incompetent past administrators and their legal advisors exposed. Not necessary when they can just leave Peoria taxpayers and children holding the bag once again and avoid the hassle.
PFFFT-
Both parties have to agree to settle in order for it not to see the light of day. With recent news of more investigations, Julie may be less inclined to settle.
Isn’t there something in contracts about being able to not renew a principal if sufficient notice is given – for “no cause”? Was that in the Lindbergh principals contract? Settle? Not if thats the case. Many were rightfully critical of King Hinton and his central administrators long before the McArdle saga began.
Huh? I believe that most principals can be fired at any time–however, Julie’s claim (and, therefore, the lawsuit) is based on the allegation that she was fired for being a whistleblower. I believe that charge “trumps” the terms of the contract, doesn’t it? Others may have been critical but I don’t know of anyone who sued–that’s maybe why Hinton and others so arrogantly fired Julie.
Huh?
Do you actually believe that Julie’s termination had nothing to do with her reporting of unethical and illegal behavior?
“house of hinton”
As much as I think Hinton was a problem, I think characterizing the systemic problems that go back back to the 60s as Hinton’s fault is a little short sighted.
if area leaders are really interested in putting a stop to the corruption at District 150 or if they just want to put a band-aid on it to pacify the crowd and continue the pillaging when the heat is off. Only God at this point (and hopefully the SA & investigators) know how many people have profited from the prevalent theft, contract kickbacks and nepotistic practices that have flourished within the District for years. Durflinger appears to have the backbone to put an end to it. As a community we must be vigilant and work to insure the new Administration follows through with that vision and makes it truly a new day at District 150. I personally hope the “vision” includes at least a few prosecutions, if warranted, to the fullest extent of the law.
Time will tell-
AMEN!
All of you who want to be vigilant are welcome to join DistrictWatch at Godfathers on Sunday, March 21, at 6 p.m. We had some new people two weeks ago–a good sign that people care about District 150. I agree with Charlie that blaming all the problems on Hinton’s administration is wrong. The problems have been building for 30 to 40 years–the Hinton administration just didn’t do much to address the problems–but they didn’t create the problems; they were handed the problems, which compounded for lack of attention. Or rather, I believe, they advocated the wrong solutions for the problems they did address.
No Sharon, I believe Hinton allowed the continuation and proliferation of the “entitlements”. If he didn’t know, then he is an idiot and had no business being in charge of the district, and if he did know, then he is an idiot for not stopping it and is culpable in my book. Swing low, sweet chariot……
Sharon, imo, you are being far too charitable.
Hinton was unprepared for the position of Superintendent… he knew and admitted it. THAT was intentional. The people responsible for the problems systemic to District 150 wanted someone incapable of taking charge and fixing it. Look at who and what the school board members represent… with few exceptions they represent big business interests.
Here is a copy of the PJStar Letter to the Editor. I find it extremely funny…..wonder if Ms. Hoerr is still such a “staunch” supporter of Ms. Davis? My favorite line…….very generous with her time and MONEY. What it should have said is she was very generous with your time and YOUR MONEY. Oh, fyi Ms. Hoerr, the school was NEVER audited while Davis was there.
Posted May 06, 2009 @ 10:30 PM
As president of the PTO at Lindbergh Middle School for the past two years, I feel I need to set the record straight.
It saddens me that an excellent school such as Lindbergh has had such negative press. Mary Davis was the principal at Lindbergh for five years. In that amount of time, the ISAT test scores improved each year, behavior in the school improved and parents were highly encouraged to be involved in their child’s education.
While Dr. Davis was not perfect, she truly cared about the students and teachers. She was generous with her time and money. The school was audited several times while she was principal and nothing was ever found to be suspicious.
Until the facts are publicly known, it would be beneficial to everyone if the public could reserve judgment.
Tania Hoerr
PTO president, Lindbergh Middle School
Peoria
re: Tania Hoerr;
ha ha ha
Some would trace District 150’s problems back much further than Hinton. I know there are those who blame Strand. I didn’t at the time, but looking back I can see that a more permissive attitude about student behavior, etc., began with Strand. Also, the desire to save money and to try to keep families from leaving the district led to Strand’s creation of high school academies–which were not successful and did great harm to the curricula of all the high schools (added to the harm already done by going from a 7-hour to a 6-hour day). Well, the industrial academy at Manual was a failure. All were failures in that the academies didn’t draw students from other attendance areas. For instance, the business academy at Woodruff was successful but just for those in the Woodruff area while Manual’s business department suffered. Frankly, Durflinger is the first I’ve seen in a long time who is willing to tackle some of the big problems. He has nothing to lose–which is a great quality to have in a superintendent. He isn’t worried about extending his contract.
enough with the durflinger love fest. counting down teh days before we see he is typical district 150 administration.
good grief: Durflinger has done more rooting out unethical and illegal behavior in the past month, than Hinton did in YEARS. Hinton played a real good ostrich (head in the sand), or better yet, he coated himself in teflon so NOTHING TOUCHED HIM. Durlinger has stepped up to the plate, with NO real benefit to himself, except it’s the right thing to do. Durflinger is not looking to make friends/alliances with criminals, he wants them GONE from D150 so they cannot do anymore harm to this district. I am a cheerleader for Norm Durflinger…..go Norm!
How embarrassing that it took a dude from Morton to make the district accountable. Where were all the Peorians? Absolutely shameful.
Frustrated said:She also has been a tireless volunteer for the schools her children have attended. She organized many an event when no other volunteers would step up to the plate.
So what? That statement desribes a lot of people. Doesn’t mean she’s entitled to destroy the careers of whoever gets in her cross hairs.
According to the BOE agenda for Monday night, Eric Thomas is losing his job as a principal at Trewyn and will be going back to the classroom. The same for Duke at Valeska Hinton. Durflinger is in an unusual position and is taking advantage of it. I, for one, am glad to see that he is handling some of these situations. Now I feel a bit better about the teacher being disciplined for the video taken during her class–it appears the principal is bearing some of that blame, also.