Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/213993
6A Daily News – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Opinion The other side of the superintendent debate DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. I am composing this letter in response to an article by Rich Greene that appeared in your paper concerning the "no confidence" vote for Lisa Escobar, superintendent of Red Bluff Union High School. I was a school board member for 8 years and I was on the sitting board who hired Ms. Escobar and I would like to share another side of this situation with your readers. Your paper stated, "'We are sad, angry, and frustrated that Ms. Escobar's ineffectiveness has caused such dysfunction in our district and possible damage to our students' educational experiences,' the Association's press release said." We chose Ms. Escobar as our superintendent partly because she came from a trouble-shooting background where her responsibility was to assess a situation and plan how to improve that situation. Since she has been here she has been very effective in assessing the situation and one of the first changes she made upon her arrival, which caused much consternation amongst the staff, was a "Bell to Bell" Policy whereas each teacher was required to be at their post and in a teaching mode from the time the class bell rung before class until it rang ending the class period. Please explain to me how that could be damaging to the students' educational experience. Another requirement she instituted which was met with great resistance was that each and every teacher be credentialed in the subject matter in which they are teaching. I considered that to be quite reasonable since indeed it is according to the Educational Code. Not only was it not well received, the teachers who were involved wanted the school to pay for their process of being credentialed. How can requiring teachers to be credentialed in their subject be damaging to the students? Another very effective policy Ms. Escobar initiated was that all staff be thoroughly and consistently evaluated on their effectiveness in their performance of their duties. While I was still a board member, teacher Pat Gleason attended a board meeting reading a letter to the board letting us know exactly how insulted and displeased he was by such a policy. A copy of this letter should be on file for anyone to read. These are but a few incidents which occurred before I left my post as school board member but these as a great example of Ms. Escobar's effectiveness and leads one to begin to consider that perhaps there was some dysfunction at Red Bluff High before she arrived and perhaps she is trying to assess the situation and institute uncomfortable changes not to damage the students' educational experiences, but in fact improve the students' educational experiences. The story stated, "The Association listed five reasons for the vote of no confidence ranging from calling Escobar and ineffective communicator and collaborator to showing little interest in appreciating the strengths of the district. "Other reasons said Escobar has often been untruthful, inconsistent with her target of what she's trying to accomplish and proposing changes that are damaging to students." May I please offer my observations on these items which stem from my eight years of experience dealing with the staff at Red Bluff High. Could it be that because Ms. Escobar does not tell the teachers what they want to hear and that she is implementing changes which member I tried to get the board to are causing more accountability come up with a usable Vision Statement and to set by the staff than they are yearly goals. Not one comfortable with and therefore they conclude Guest View single administrator prior to Lisa Escobar she is ineffective as a Rhonda was interested or even communicator and colseemed to understand laborator? In the past the the necessity of such staff has considered the effort. The last accomadministrators more as plishment of my time friends and equals than boss and employee and Ms. Esco- on the board was to finally have bar definitely presents herself as Lisa facilitate a goal setting sesthe person in charge, as it should sion and we as a board came up with a workable Vision Statement be. When I became a board mem- which we were proud of. This is a ber in 2004 the thing which was sign of leadership which is greatly most prized at Red Bluff High was needed at Red Bluff High, but is the culture created there. When I also greatly feared by staff memwas president of the board after bers that have had it their way for being reelected in 2008 I had a far too long. In conclusion, I would like to workshop with the board on defining exactly what that culture of encourage any reader of this letter which they were so proud was. The to be open-minded to the possibilpreceding superintendent conclud- ity that Red Bluff High School ed that "Red Bluff High is a great was not the ideal place you place for adults to work." When the remember it being when you prevailing attitude is one of self- attended however many years ago serving accolades and fear of that may be, and that just perhaps accountability, I think one would there was a bit more dysfunction be pleased that the new leader in and good ole boys culture existing charge would show little interest in when Lisa Escobar came on board and that she just might have some appreciating that behavior. On the subject of untruthful- great ideas which would greatly ness, this is not a new issue. I have improve a student's educational never know Ms. Escobar to be experience during their four years untruthful, but a key administrator and then possibly imagine how during my time on the board lied much better it could be in 5 years to the board on more than one for the next generation of students. The testing scores for the entire occasion to the point that I took him to task and informed him that 8 years I was a board member I would publicly disclose these lies were at a standstill. This tells me that improvements needed to be if they were to continue. I do not feel anyone in educa- made. If Lisa is not the instrument tion in America today can be con- of improvement, just imagine sistent with all of their targets another 5 years of stagnation. because the mandates from the Please give her your support long government for education are con- enough to see if indeed she can stantly changing with new policies fulfill the purpose we hired her for which was to assess and plan for each and every year. For eight years as a board improvement. Johnson Your officials Mission Statement We believe that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 150 Amber Grove Drive, Ste. 154, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Bill Clinton, first guy Last week, when Bill Clinton said President Obama should allow people to keep their health-insurance coverage — an early attempt to distance Hillary and himself from ObamaCare — I began to worry that the Clintons may be serious about another run at the White House. I surely don't want Hillary to be our next president, but I think it would be great if Bill became America's first "first guy." How can you not like the man? He's clever and witty. He was born into modest circumstances and, through his considerable wits, achieved a fine education and navigated his way into the biggest job in the world. The truth is, I'd love to have a beer with him. I'd love to hear about the incredible experiences he has had in his truly remarkable life — but only if I am assured that my sisters are out of town. If Bill ever does become first guy, we can only imagine what kind of trouble he might get into. He'd probably stroll around the White House in a Hugh Hefner robe, chomping on roast beef sandwiches and winking at the staff. He'd probably ban children from the White House Easter Egg Roll and invite coeds. Always a pragmatic Democrat, he'd outsource the White House kitchen to Hooters. He'd establish a Domino's franchise in the Blue Room. He'd auction the Lincoln Bedroom to the highest bidder. Goodness knows what his "first lady"-style mission would be. Michelle Obama promotes good nutrition for kids. Laura Bush promoted literacy. Barbara Bush promoted volunteerism. Nancy Reagan, as part of her "Just Say No" campaign, discouraged drug use. I think Bill would embrace "Just Say No," too — "Just Say No to Hillary." With Bill as First Guy, there would likely be many embarrassments. While Hillary meets the leaders and dignitaries of other countries, Bill, like all first ladies before him, would be tasked with entertaining their spouses. What could go wrong there? First ladies often direct remod- just unable to provide it. Like or eling at the White House. Under hate his policies, there just isn't much about Obama that Bill's direction, would is very funny. the billiard room be Like I said, I hope turned into a beer-pong Hillary doesn't become parlor? our next president, but if What would happen she does, Bill would if Bill takes "Departbecome first guy and ment of Veterans America would get its Affairs" literally? sense of humor back. America is really With Bill as First struggling these days. Guy, Hillary would need Our economy continues another "don't ask, don't to sputter and our debt tell" policy — not for the keeps getting racked up. Tom military, but for the Our government's White House. attempt to transform America would need America's health-care to establish a special system is an unmitigated disaster and nobody knows how Secret Service detail — not to prothe chaos will further harm our tect Bill from the public, but the public from Bill. already shaky economy. Bill would be good for the Our freedoms are suffering now that the government is meddling economy, too. T-shirt and bumperwith the most personal of matters, sticker sales would soar. This one health care, and dictating how and would be a best-seller: "What happens in the White when we go about getting it. Boy, do we need some comic House, stays in the White House." relief about now. Send comments to Tom at But, unlike many presidents before him, President Obama is Purcell@caglecartoons.com. Purcell