Public Schools are failing – but not my public schools
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
There’s a well-known paradox in the world of education research. Ask people about their feelings toward public schools in general, and you’re likely to hear that schools are failing.
Ask people about their local schools, however, and most have good things to say.
So well-entrenched is this pattern that the results of a recent poll out of the University of Mary Washington on how Virginians feel about their local school districts is hardly newsworthy. It simply reinforces what we’ve known for years.
People like their neighborhood schools.
The survey of 1,000 Virginia adults conducted for UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies by Research America Inc. September 5-11, asked respondents how they felt their local K-12 schools educated children. Some 39% gave the schools an A or B, while 26% gave them a C. Just 10 % gave local schools an F. Another 13% gave local schools a D.
“This survey shows that those combative voices at school board meetings are not representative of public opinion across the Commonwealth regarding public education,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Overall, Virginians remain quite positive about the performance of their schools, both regarding education generally and providing a safe learning environment.”
The consistency of people’s positive experience with local public schools has long frustrated education reformers.
A study conducted in 2016 by EdNext – an education reform group – put a spotlight on this issue, which NPR reported on. Even though test scores haven’t improved, people remain upbeat.
The reason, NPR reports, may be explained by psychologists, who describe this anomaly as the “mere-exposure” effect: “Essentially, people tend to like things better the more they are familiar with them,” Anya Kamenetz wrote.
COMMENTARY: Imperial Takeover
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Augustus was pulling off coups long before Lisa Phelps came on the scene.
Educated citizens will understand the reference. The chairman of Spotsylvania County’s school board, however, surely won’t. That would require reading – and given her desire to ban and burn books with “pornography,” we assume anything from, or about, the Roman Empire is on the burn-to-a-crisp list.
Let’s explain it for her – sans any reference to Augustus’ sex life (he was a notorious philander who had a proclivity for deflowering young maidens).
Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, brought an end to the Roman Republic – with its democratically inspired representative government – by slowly consolidating all power unto himself.
He rejected imperial titles, keeping the facade of the Republic in place. But over time he managed to have the Senate name him commander-in-chief, tribune, and censor. For life. He was first among equals. And everything went through him.
The senate remained, but never again would it be the governing authority.
This is precisely what Phelps and Superintendent Mark Taylor have orchestrated. Phelps, whose only role in the system should be to ensure that rules at school board meetings are followed and the democratic integrity of the board remains in-tack, is now the de-facto head of the school district, with Taylor her cuckolded “Yes man.”
And like the Roman Emperors, her greed for power will prove her undoing.
Consider what happened on Thursday.
Teachers/Staff Have No Rights
When teachers reported to work Thursday morning, they were confronted with the following email:
Dear SCPS Staff,
As a reminder to SCPS personnel about Policy BG-R, which outlines the procedures for communication between school board members and staff, SCPS school board members and staff communication must go through the Board Chair and Superintendent.
If a board member contacts you, please refer them to Ms. Phelps, the School Board Chair, and notify Superintendent Taylor about the communication.
This policy is in place to ensure that our communication remains organized and that decisions are made collectively with proper oversight. There are no exceptions provided in the policy. The Chair and the Superintendent expect to be made aware of every communication between any board member and any member of SCPS staff. By following this protocol, we can continue to work together efficiently and effectively towards our shared goals.
Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chief of Staff Jon Russell
[Emphases added]
Let’s start with the obvious. This is a clear violation of employees’ First Amendment right to free speech. Phelps, of course, has made it crystal clear she doesn’t care about free speech. She blatantly, in public, at most every school board meeting, kills the mic on speakers, on fellow board members, and on parents.
She has effectively silenced the three minority board members by not allowing them to place items on the agenda. Not allowing them an opportunity to speak openly and freely in defense of their constituents. And not even allowing them free ingress and regress to the board room they’re supposed to oversee.
In so acting, she has completely disenfranchised the voters who put Dawn Shelley, Lorita Daniels, and Nicole Cole in office by not allowing their representatives to do their jobs. In short – 42% of Spotsylvania’s population is not allowed a voice in the public schools that are supported by their tax dollars.
So much for “parents’ rights.”
The only parents that Phelps cares about are the evangelical parents who share her same narrow-minded and ignorant view of the world, which can be summarized by borrowing and amending an expression from that great philosopher, Tarzan.
“Me good, you bad.”
And Thursday’s letter adds more fuel to this fire.
Consider – taking this document at face value, a teacher with students in the school system is not allowed to communicate with their representative to discuss a problem, a concern, or even a desire to help, without kissing the ring of the person with the worst head of hair since the beehive hairdo went out of style.
[For a thorough discussion of how Phelps and Taylor are misusing and misinterpreting Policies BG and BG-R, see Adele Uphaus’ piece in the Free Lance-Star.]
This policy simply doesn’t square with Phelps’ and Taylor’s sworn allegiance to “parents’ rights.”
It does just the opposite. It exposes the lie that this board, this superintendent, and the governor of Virginia, who consistently looks the other way while Phelps and crew work to do his dirty work and destroy public schools, give a damn about students or parents or learning.
They care only about power and instilling fear in their subjects. In stripping their subjects of rights, and expecting the subjects to thank them for the privilege.
This rush to power and autocracy and authoritarianism proved the downfall of Rome.
Here’s hoping it doesn’t take Spotsylvanians as long as it took the Romans to put a stop to it.
[Follow up: We reached out to Spotsylvania County Schools for comment and received no response.]
Fall Foliage
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Entering the last weekend of September, fall colors are beginning to make their way to Virginia’s mountains, according to American Forests.
Near-peak and peak viewing times will be October 16-23, according to the same website.
For those who enjoy keeping a close eye on leafy colors, Smokeymountains.com invites people to help improve predictions by reporting leaf changes in their areas.
If you’re new to the area, or looking for an unforgettable experience to have with the family, take some time these next four weeks and drive north.
Few sights in the world can match the beauty of fall foliage.
Meet the Editor This Saturday – 1:00 at B&N
On Saturday, FXBG Editor Martin Davis will be at the Barnes and Noble in Central Park signing copies of his book, 30 Days with America’s High School Coaches. Joining him will be local author Jack Bales, whose book The Chicago Cub Shot for Love will also be available for purchase and signing.
Bring your copy, or purchase one at the store, and Martin will gladly autograph your copy.
The event begins at 1:00. We look forward to seeing you at B&N!
Read more at the Barnes and Noble website.
Support Local Journalism
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The content is now, and will continue to be, free.
Help us bring aboard the journalists who will elevate our coverage and strengthen the community we all share.
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Thank you for reading and supporting FXBG Advance.
-Martin Davis, Editor
