In Thursday’s edition of The Columbian-Progress there was a story about confusion over student rankings at Columbia High School. I have to admit, I found it very alarming.
However, what I found alarming wasn’t the fact there was a miscommunication, dropping of the ball or “fell through the cracks” as Superintendent Jason Harris said that got me; it was the secrecy behind the mistake. What is something that is a big deal to parents and students alike was being brushed aside as no big deal by others.
I attend several board meetings and none are perfect. Then again, they are being run by people and we all know people aren’t perfect, especially yours truly. I’ll put myself at the top of the list for imperfection.
School board meetings can be tedious at times and hard to follow at other times. Both school boards use Board Books or a program similar to it that consists of tablets preloaded with all the information that will be discussed at the meeting, including items that are considered public records and some that are confidential. Because everything board members need are already on the “tablet,” there are no hard copies to follow along with. One has to take the board’s word on items being voted on in hopes they are doing what is best.
Now before I go further, let me clearly state that I do believe both school districts have board members who do want what is best and fair for the students and schools.
At one of the recent board meetings it was admitted by CHS Principal Braxton Stowe that the students were misled. Instead of seeing what can be done to set the record straight, it was instead commented that no one knows yet and it won’t affect the rankings. While that may be true, it is something the parents and students should have been made aware of immediately to ensure students were not affected.
It took the courage of a current junior, Leah Nolan, to stand up to the board to voice her concerns. Sometimes fighting through tears, she eloquently stated the confusion they have gone through and trying to understand in an already crazy time with the pandemic, so she and her classmates can know how to map out their senior year. Board President Marie Shepard apologized to her about all of the confusion, miscommunication and misunderstanding. A simple gesture that packs a powerful punch.
Policies are very important, but if policy changes are in the works, I believe there needs to be more transparency, especially for the students and parents. Attending a meeting where proposed changes are on a tablet for board to review but not available for anyone else to review is not fair for anyone. The same with other non-confidential documents, if not made available to anyone attending, it is hard to follow along.
I have a son who has always been toward the top of his class. He will be a senior next year. I know I would be upset and he as well if changes were made at the last minute, especially after the schedules have been made and the changes dropped him in the ranking. He, like most students, has worked too hard. The students’ trust is at stake. How can you expect them to succeed when you violate the trust by misleading them?
As a parent of seven children, I have looked at several handbooks over the years. I will admit I haven’t read them all word for word, and I dare say a lot parents do the same. But to do a change of the magnitude as affecting the class ranking is something that parents and students should know about before class selection for the next year and not put into a handbook where it may not be read.
When new school years start, the majority are under the impression the rules are the same as the year before. It is not right to blindside them, especially in the 11th hour.
Susan Amundson is managing editor of The Columbian-Progress. Reach her at (601) 736-2611 or samundson@columbianprogress.com.
