Robertson County Schools: After the Meeting

Many of asked that I put together a post with my commentary from the joint meeting between the City of Springfield and Robertson County Schools.

I do not want to get into what was said, and what was not said. I will leave that to the great coverage provided by the Robertson County Times.

For my thoughts…..here we go:

Overall, I am encouraged.

I am encouraged for this is the first time I have heard a real discussion related to the schools in an open forum. For far too long, I have had the impression that the schools are a “third rail” of Robertson County politics.

Here is what I think that the County should take from this meeting.  

1)      We have a concern – I think that can be acknowledged now. It is reflected by the meeting itself. It is reflected by what was exchanged by the two entities. Though not unprecedented, when was the last time two entities such as the City of Springfield and Robertson County Schools sat down for such a meeting? And, then, think of governmental meetings – how many have been that well attended? None that I can remember.

This is what I find tremendous for our County. I think it was the worst kept secret that there was a tremendous amount of vitriol, rumors and teeth-gnashing leading up to the meeting. It was disappointing. It was disappointing because as it always is, these voices were the loudest. Yet, I did not see those voices throughout the audience. I did not see folks filled with vitriol throughout the audience.

I saw community leaders and I saw concerned parents willing to listen, and wanting to be a part of the solution.

That was why I thought that the meeting was tremendous. Now, I am not so naïve to think that there were not those spreading the vitriol in attendance, but I think those folks were disappointed. This meeting showed folks from all over the County that this is a serious concern, and accordingly it is being treated as a serious concern. There is not going to be a quick-fix band aid that is going to fix all ills within our schools.

2)      The concern will require teamwork – Again, go back to my first point of a meeting such as this. Each entity shared their concerns with the other. That is a part of the process.  As I have said to folks that have asked – this is “everyone’s fault and no one’s fault all at once.” There is not a “culprit” to this concern. It is too easy to fall into that trap. But, it is a trap we should refrain from…we will not get anywhere pointing figures, and allocating blame. 

What I did hear was concerns expressed by both entities with the way each has approached the concern. I even heard that the County Commission should be brought into the discussion. I could not agree more. Therein lies the way in which the concern will be addressed: Teamwork.

If there were an easy way to remedy the concern, someone at that meeting would have proclaimed it.

No one did.

It is too big.

Now, before you just laugh on my juvenile statement here, my point is that all entities will need to work as a team to address this concern. I look forward to that opportunity.

What I would envision, and what I will look forward to is the second meeting. I look forward to the Robertson County Commission joining this second meeting. Only teamwork is going to address our concerns.