Walz et al, pile on with editorial rehash

It has been more than a week since the Journal published reporter Hailey Heinz' take, link, on an APS employee, who also happens to be a State Senator, and who wrote a letter to her APS bosses complaining about the character and competence of APS Supt Winston Brooks' Chief of Staff Joseph Escobedo.

As I've written before, Escobedo, seen here pointing out other former students I might recognize in a photo of their class trip to Washington DC, has been nothing but courteous and professional in our interactions.

The validity, or not, of her complaints against Escobedo have not been established and are not in point. The Journal editors either have not seen the entire letter ( a public record), or simply chose to share only the parts that support their position.

Their position, consisting largely of cutting and pasting from Heinz' piece, appears to be; APS employees are guilty of inappropriate behavior and misconduct if they write a letter to the Supt and the board and complain about the character and competence of senior administrators. Witness; Assoc Supt Ruby Ethridge's fall from power and grace, link, after calling out APS Supt Winston Brooks on his bullying, in a letter to board members.

The editors concede; "Declining (an invitation to a confab)is fine...", but then argue "... Sanchez took it too far with her dismissive attitude and dictating to whom she would deign to speak."

The editors' illogic in it "being fine to decline an invitation" but wrong to "dictate to whom she would ...speak" is confounding.

It isn't misconduct of course, except in the minds of senior administrators and board members who don't want subordinates filing complaints against them. A recent audit by the Council of the Great City Schools found a "... culture of fear of retribution and retaliation" against employees who complain about the character and competence of their superiors.

When I was still a teacher, and filing complaints about the character and competence of my principal, Wayne Knight, I was told straight out by then Human Resources Director Ron Williams; I faced termination unless I stopped making (legitimate) complaints about Knight.

It would appear little has changed in the intervening decade.

Walz et al, again published the opinion of school board enforcer Marty Esquivel;

“If you can separate your responsibilities as an employee and as a legislator I’m all for it, but if you start throwing your weight around and acting inappropriately because you’re in the Legislature, then I think that’s wrong."

Esquivel's complaint that Senator and School Counselor Bernadette Sanchez was "throwing her weight around and acting inappropriately" is unsupported by any evidence that either he or his crony Walz have presented.

Esquivel and Brooks' position; that making waves is insubordinate, inappropriate and warranting punishment, is bullying; pure and simple.

Journal editors praise in print of APS' anti-bullying activities while enabling administrative and executive bullying on the front page and in their editorials, is hypocrisy;
pure and simple.




photos Mark Bralley