In today’s News Journal, State Auditor R. Thomas Wagner Jr. claims that consolidating Delaware’s 19 school districts could save the state 50 million a year. Those against the idea cite problems such as a loss of local control and the need to level up salaries. The salary argument seems to have merit, but when I see 19 different school districts in a state of our size I think… fiefdoms.
Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, who introduced a bill earlier this year that calls for the same four districts in Wagner’s report. “It doesn’t make sense to have 19 sets of everything — superintendents, deputy superintendents, directors of food service.”We’re throwing all of our money at doing things 19 times instead of putting the money in the classroom,” she said.
She has a point. And so does Sen. Dave Sokola, D-Newark:
“With or without consolidation, we are administratively top-heavy in Delaware. The way the system is now isn’t as efficient as it could be. And I don’t know if that’s because we’re not consolidated or because we don’t work together enough.”
Now, I’m not sure how I feel about consolidating districts, but I do feel that Delaware’s school districts are ridiculously top (administrative) heavy. And a big part of that problem is due, imo, to mindset. When did leaving the classroom for an administrative position become a promotion? The way to get ahead? Why don’t we view administrators as a support system for teachers, rather than the head honchos? And why are their salaries so out of line when compared to the people who actually teach our children every day? Of course, I just answered my first question – it’s about the money. And that’s the problem. Our public school system appears to be based on a corporate model.
And just like the corporate model, those in administration fight to justify their jobs and salary. This means constantly revamping and changing curriculum. I have lived through the “new math” and “whole language” fiasco. And when they didn’t work administrators re-discovered phonics. Talk about a never ending circle. And if you want to see it in action, attend a board meeting. There’s always one or two administrators promoting the next latest and greatest model – complete with a Power Point presentation that my 12 year old could better prepare.
But most people don’t attend school board meetings (Hell, most people don’t vote in school board elections) and I don’t blame them. It’s like entering a foreign country with a language no one but the natives understand. If you go prepare yourself for a sea of “rubrics” and “metrics.” These words tend to dominate, no matter the topic.
But I’ve veered off course, so let me return… I’m not certain consolidating is the answer. I’ve been thrilled with the Brandywine School District (FYI, I choiced out of Red Clay into Brandywine), so I wouldn’t be too happy in having that district tarnished. But that’s personal, and I’m trying to look at the big picture. In that vein, I’m all for dismantling the fiefdoms. But we need to do more. We need to change our mindset, and stop saying stupid things like “It’s for the kids” when everyone can see that it’s not. It’s for the administrative corporate model that rewards climbing the educational ladder… straight out of the classroom.