Looking past the haircut

There are two unresolved issues at Rio Grande High School.

I will begin by acknowledging no personal experience at that school. I will bow to any controverting fact.

The first issue yet to be resolved; who is in charge at the school, the staff or the students?

At a school where prohibited behavior is permitted; the rule breakers are in charge.

Which is not to imply any adult at the school willingly accepts that situation, or is not doing everything they possibly can to change it.

The second unresolved issue is whether or not there will be a manifest gang presence at RGHS.

There are actually three issues.

The first two exist because of the third. There is no APS District Discipline Philosophy.

Discipline policies in the District are not based on any common discipline philosophy. If there were a well thought out, comprehensive philosophy, they could show it to you.

What do the Superintendent and Board intend to do about the issue of a manifest gang presence on school campuses, District wide? What do they intend to do about the issue of the permission of prohibited behavior, District wide? What do they intend to do to regain their control over school campuses, District wide?

It would be grossly unfair to hold individual schools staffs or staff members culpable for this lack of direction.

The responsibility for this lack of leadership falls squarely on the Board and the Superintendent.

Each of whom refuses to be held honestly accountable to any meaningful standard of conduct regarding their character or their competence.

Again, and again, and again, and …