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October 22, 2006
Baehr Facts
Superintendent of School Karla Brooks Baehr won a new lease on life in Lowell last week when the School Committee backed away from a public reprimand over the administration's seemingly lax attitude about a number of things, including enforcement of public safety policies and hiring procedures. While those subjects remain high on the board's priority list, they pale in comparison to Baehr's perceived inattendance at community events which is really rankling board members. Baehr certainly has the tools to display education leadership, but she now has to make a commitment to community leadership if the public schools are going to improve their psychologicial and performance stature. I don't know if Baehr can do it all. If not, she should hire someone at Deputy Superintendent's rank to handle the public outreach job that is so essential to engaging public, civic and business groups. This "outreach" challenge was one of the key elements of Dr. Jeffrey Howard's address at the Mary Bacigalupo Educational Forum held two weeks ago in Lowell. It was a stimulating 4-hour session. I will write about it later in a newspaper column, but Dr. Howard's basic premise is that the entire community must embrace a clear mission statement on improving the schools and then work like hell to build both adult and student proficiency. Failure can't be accepted at any level of the process.
While all local government leaders must rally behind the schools, Dr. Howard's made it clear that the school administration has to get the ball rolling and show the resolve to pull all the elements of the community together. In other words, Baehr or someone else has to take charge.
I think the school board has given Baehr the directive it wants followed from here on in. Hopefully, she can turn this low ebb in her six-year tenure into a high flow of energy and a new path of consensus-building for the schools. Personally, I like the idea of creating a job that will help rally support for the schools. Ted Rurak, who recently retired as deputy superintendent, or Bill Samaras, Lowell High's headmaster, come to mind as city residents who could likely do the job.
Posted by at October 22, 2006 10:59 AM
Comments
I am not surprise the School Committee did not nothing in looking toward Dr.Baehr record in dealing with these type of situation, the School Committee should just hold a sign up and say "WANTED GANG MEMBER, SEX OFFENDER AND CRIMINAL, TO TEACH CLASS AT LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOL" I will remember this the next time they are are up for election shame on the school committee for turning blind side on the situation, it time Dr.Baehr go and a new superintendent can do a better a job wink wink Headmaster Samaras, it saded me to hear prasie for Dr.Baehr during the recent school committee meeting maybe they feel better if the sex offender is teaching their son and daughter
Posted by: AngryAsian at October 23, 2006 2:29 PM
Do we really need a Deputy Superintendant to handle community outreach for the schools? Seems like a high salaried position for a lot of touchy feely/Rah!Rah! stuff.
If the community cares enough to be organized they don't need a new big government cheerleader. If the current staff can't get it done, its time to clean house. Its not like they have been inspiring confidence lately. If we can't accept failure, how come we have been?
I'll be interested to see if your article can change my mind.
Smokey
Posted by: Smokey at October 23, 2006 6:15 PM
