A Lesson in Frustration: Right School, Wrong People Running It

 

Written By: Felecia Causey

My experience with our local public school system these years prompted me to share some observations that may assist parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children. While my children completed school successfully, our journey was punctuated by several concerning issues. These included a lack of transparency and accountability from certain staff members, instances of favoritism, and concerns regarding the qualifications of some individuals in positions of authority. It’s important to note that not all staff members exhibited these shortcomings, and the educational content itself was, in many areas, quite good. However, the systemic issues caused significant stress.

One area of significant concern was the school's cellphone policy. While I understand the rationale behind restricting cellphone use, the inconsistent application and lack of reliable communication channels in emergencies created significant challenges for parents. The school's response to parental concerns, both via phone calls and in-person meetings, was often unsatisfactory.

Beyond the cellphone policy, systemic issues included a pervasive culture of dishonesty and a failure of leadership to address complaints effectively. The lack of accountability extended to instances of inadequate teaching, with some instructors demonstrating a lack of subject matter expertise and employing unfair grading practices. This resulted in considerable stress for both children and parents. Furthermore, there were instances of staff members exhibiting a remarkable level of apathy and unprofessionalism, failing to fulfill their responsibilities and hindering student success.

I want to emphasize that my intention is not to disparage the entire system, as many dedicated and effective educators exist within it. However, the negative experiences we faced underscore the importance of thorough due diligence on the part of parents when selecting a school. My advice to parents is to actively engage in communication with the school, be vigilant in monitoring your child’s academic progress, and to advocate assertively for their needs. Most importantly, fostering a strong support system and maintaining open communication with your children is crucial.