(Bonus points to anyone who recognizes that title.)
This is my 772nd and final post on this blog. The first was posted on July 22, 2014 as a campaign communications channel.
When the election was over, I continued for two reasons. The first and least important was that I enjoyed the writing. Freed from 15 years of the shackles of a newspaper editing process, I could write whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
The more important reason was that there was a need. I did not understand how great a need until I began to get notes from district employees who were urging me to continue because there was no public voice for the many things about which they were concerned.
They did not speak to the higher-ups because they feared retaliation.
Not much has changed since I started. Oh, there has been progress in an incremental way, but the greater causes – the need for more transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility – are still not met.
That may change with the election tomorrow and it may not.
It should be noted here that one person has floated the idea of writing a school district blog in place of this one.
Soul and inspiration
One of the best benefits of the blog and of being active in school district affairs has been the people I have met. If the community and the nation had more of these people, we would all be better off. They deserve my thanks, secondarily for their information and research, and primarily for the inspiration they provided.
I have thought about quitting this blog many times and each time I started to get serious, one of these people came along with something that kept me going.
These very special people include Laurie Smith, Sandy Asper, Marti O’Meara, John Caldecott, Barry Friedland, Cynthia Blackwell, Britt Dowdy, Kimberly Claytor, and, oh gosh, if I’ve forgotten anyone, I am sorry.
Special notice is reserved for two locals, who may be the most tenacious people I’ve ever known.
Erica Roberts came out of nowhere to expose a severely flawed math program and bring it to the attention of the public.
Along the way, Roberts got the usual stall, stifle, and stymie from every corner of the administration and the trustees. But every time the district threw some roadblock in front of her, she found a way over, under, around, or through it.
Roberts’ campaign to replace the math program took over three years but ultimately she prevailed as students, parents, and teachers rejoiced.
With her Swun Math victory, Roberts accomplished more than I have in 20 years of badgering the district. Not only did she knock the math program off the pedestal, she inspired many other people to continue the fight for local school board reform.
Roberts came along at a time when I was down and discouraged. The progressive needle didn’t seem to be moving at all and I questioned the whole effort. It took Roberts’ “all-in” activism to revive my interest.
I don’t have a lot of heroes, but I count Erica Roberts among them.
The other hero is Wendy Leece, who has been the glue that has held a lot of this activism together for a very long time. Despite being shunned during her days as a trustee, including being the target of one of the most reprehensible actions ever taken by the school board, Leece shook it off and kept her focus on trying to improve the education experience for Newport-Mesa students.
Leece always comes prepared. I recall back in her trustee days when she reported on a couple of books that were due to be added to the district reading list. She could not recommend them and gave her reasons, but that was the small part. The big part is that unlike her colleagues, she actually read the books.
Leece tried to raise the trustee responsibility bar but the status quo was too powerful. Since then, she has thrived in her role as a member of the Newport-Mesa Community for Students.
To all of these people, and the many more who had the courage to challenge the district’s status quo:
“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing as it comes up, seeing it not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
There is a personal side to my thanks to all of these people, too. I started this blog two years after a great personal tragedy and despite my attempts at composure, I was a wreck. My wife, Laura, and my children helped me through, and so did these people with their intelligence, dedication, and kindness. I will always be grateful to them.
“Further on down the road“
Or is it “farther?” I know it only from the song of the same name.
Regardless of who wins the elections tomorrow, a new era on the school board will begin. For the first time in the 20 years I have been covering district business, a majority of the board will have served no more than two years.
These are the younger attitudes our students need. They are closer to the rapid changes in education and will have better insight into the best way forward.
To the newest trustees, I urge you to follow the lead of Trustees Ashley Anderson and Michelle Barto, who have complemented one another and are making progress toward lasting, effective change.
I wish all the trustees well.
I wish you well, too. Thank you for the support, the encouragement, and the many exciting moments.
Goodbye.
Steve Smith