On Whether You Should Be Listening To Me

There was a rather interesting happening over at The Seattle Times last week. The Times had queried readers about what advice they would give the new superintendent, Ben Shuldiner. I filled out the form and then got a call that my comments would be used if I was good with it.

I then emailed the reporter back saying certainly but also letting him know - if he didn't know - who I am. He said oh yes, I know you are a blogger, it's fine.

So the article by Ryan Nguyen came out last Thursday. I saw my comments in the story as well as those of many others. As well, there were some interesting quotes from Shuldiner.

Shuldiner said he aims to visit every school in the district during his first 100 days as superintendent. Additionally, he told The Times he intends to hold a community meeting in each of the seven School Board districts. 

“As any new leader, from inside or outside, you’ve got to spend time in the community,” Shuldiner said at the Nov. 5 School Board meeting. “You’ve got to go out and listen; you’ve got to learn.” 

Other readers suggested the incoming superintendent should collaborate with existing groups of parent and community advocates — even when those perspectives are fierce and forthright.

“Expect strong viewpoints from parents of students in SPS schools, parents of former SPS students and members of the community,” Carolyn Wallace, 80, wrote.

I didn't have time to read or make any comments. I did come back to read them only after I was alerted by a reader that someone in the comment section really took issue with me being included in the story. When I checked in, I saw that it was the resident "sage on a stage" commenter who goes by OSPI Retired Professional. This person comments regularly on education issues and I have even printed at this blog some valid things he has said. 

No, OSPI Retired Professional was miffed that the Times linked to my blog. I hadn't even noticed that myself because the Times has NEVER in the past linked to my blog. I was actually pleased that happened but not the OSPI guy. He commented 12 times, 9 of them about me.

In one, he seems to be of the opinion that he knows me and knows why I do my work. He also went to the actual trouble of a lengthy comment based on stories in various publications that I have been named in and  called me "divisive," "aggressive," "combative," "outspoken," and "polarizing." Also, that I "undermine trust in the district."

Luckily, there is some Times reader out there who pushed back hard and supported me. Thank you to that person. 

One person said to him, "I love your comments usually but I’m not comfortable with how personal this feels." He said, "My comment was well-researched and grounded in sources." No, it was researched (and how long did that take him and why was his day filled with doing that?) and then he gave his opinion.

I am gobsmacked. Who does that? Who feels that they must show the Times how very wrong they are to quote me or link to my blog? Interestingly, the reporter did answer his question about whether the Times asked any other blogger to comment and Mr. Nguyen said he had asked for comment from other bloggers and received none. 

The OSPI guy, who does not sign his name to anything (even as I always do), said he was well-known and people could find out who he is. 

Let me help that process. His name is Mike Dooley and I'll just go out on a "combative, aggressive" limb and say he is a hectoring pain in the ass. He completely hijacked the comments in that story instead of talking about what suggestions were given to the superintendent.

I may be all those things he stated - I'm certainly not doing this work to make friends. That's what you do when you are a public education activist. You stand up and speak out and let people know what the district staff is saying and doing. And then you let the chips fall where they may. 

There is NO other person or group in Seattle who does the work I do. Without me, a lot of detail would never see the light of day. Again, I'm not here to be liked but I know that even people who don't like me who regularly read this blog because it's virtually the only real way to keep up with what is happening in Seattle Public Schools.

I'll carry on until I decide to hang up my computer.