Melissa Bradford (mbradford@mediaone.net)
Thu, 22 Mar 2001 18:21:16 -0600
> > I completely agree that all members of the SM have the same right to
> > self-determination. I also agree that SM and the Assembly are the
holders
> > of institutional power, not the staff. But staff are employees of the
> > institution, and, as such, are viewed as respresentatives of the school
in
> > ways that students are not. Staff are *hired* to act on behalf of the
> > school, whereas students are there to act on behalf of themselves, as
long
> > as that does not entail harming the school or others.
>
> Melissa,
>
> By whom are the staff viewed in this way (as representatives of the
> institution)?
>
> ~Alan
>
Hi, Alan.
If I visited a Sudbury school, and some students were actively challenging a
cultural norm at school, I would view that differently than if I visited,
and staff members were doing so. Scenario one, I would see students trying
to figure things out for themselves as part of their "education". Scenario
two, I would see an adult trying to influence the direction students take,
using their position as staff to advance a political agenda. Maybe that's
unfair; maybe it's just the staff member's self-determination and should be
viewed as such, but somehow, I don't feel comfortable with it. I guess I
feel that as employees, staff should be there for students' needs, and it's
not clear to me whether a hypothethical staff member who believes he/she
should "fight irrational cultural norms" is fighting for the students'
benefit, or for the hypothetical staff's benefit.
So I guess my answer is that I view staff as representatives, and perhaps
others who are outside the School Meeting (SM), such as parents, or people
outside the community, would view staff in this way. Perhaps it is fair to
say that SM members do not view staff in that same way. As you say, staff
members don't have any extra powers, and can be voted out if they overstep
their bounds. Perhaps, to a SM member, the fact a staff member is
expressing an opinion as opposed to a student makes no difference. If that
is the case, then it really doesn't matter if a hypothetical staff member
has an agenda he/she is trying to push. Nevertheless, if I were asked,
"What makes a good staff member?", I wouldn't search out a person who is
looking for a place to "fight irrational cultural norms". To some, that may
mean making sure there is an open atmosphere where all opinions are
respected. But to others, that can mean that certain opinions would be
respected, and others, those deemed irrational, would not. That is my
concern.
Melissa, LVS
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