Letter: Schools not so sunny

Editor: I respect and appreciate that the reporting of the
changes at the Healdsburg schools is done in such a positive light
to promote a ³good feeling² that Healdsburg desperately needs given
the recent past and failures of the HUSD. However, as a parent of a
Kindergartner and 2nd grader at HES I think it¹s also important to
acknowledge the issues we¹re still dealing with in a realistic,
honest manner, in order to face and correct them.  If we truly want
less division in our community, then looking at what divides us,
and potentially could, is paramount.
We¹ve lost great teachers and have gained, in new hires, some
burdens coming into this school year. Making the decision to hire
persons who didn¹t Œmake it¹ elsewhere is indicative of the claim
that change necessarily means moving forward, when we all know that
the quality of decisions, not the quantity is what determines
success. With making hiring decisions like this we invite failure.
Why would we expect anything else?
We are dealing presently with lowered morale of teachers ‹ even
though they¹re smiling through the storm ‹ and frustrated parents
who are seeing more and more students leave public school or at
least HES and Fitch for more stable options. (Just today I spoke to
three different sets of parents who are checking out Alexander
Valley this week, and who could blame them?) There are less parent
volunteers, the donations are coming from fewer and fewer sources,
and, as has been characteristic of the last few years,
administrators continue to paint a sunny picture while
great teachers remain frustrated and parents aren¹t getting the
whole story.
Let¹s be honest Healdsburg ‹ we are divided as a community when
it comes to education and despite the Œefforts,¹ we¹re missing
vital opportunities to improve by telling ourselves Œit¹s all good¹
and missing the obvious.  I hope the coming together part is soon
to be had.
I say these things not to be negative, but to be honest so we
might tackle a very real problem instead of glossing it all over
and claiming that all change is good vs. really checking ourselves
and seeing if we¹re keeping what¹s good while we¹re making all of
these changes.
I love Healdsburg, love our teachers and want nothing more than
to keep my children at the HUSD and empower our teachers.  But
seriously – we need to take a good look at WHY people are leaving
and reward those who are staying and staying involved. I¹m worried
Healdsburg ‹ thought you should know.
Karen Hackett, Healdsburg