On Friday in this forum, we offered some thoughts on weaknesses identified by Jefferson City Public Schools' focus groups.
Among those weaknesses were a lack of student discipline and accountability, and a negative public perception of the district and a lack of trust in its leadership.
Regarding discipline, suspension and expulsion are not preferred options.
We recall remarks to district personnel by Bill Daggett, founder and chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education, who said equity is the enemy of excellence.
The mission of public schools is to educate everyone, which includes students with discipline and behavioral problems who require more attention than other students.
We can talk all we want about how discipline should be a parental responsibility, but in reality parental responsibility is neither uniform nor universal.
To its credit, the district has established an alternative school to attend to students with behavior problems and remove them from disrupting overall learning.
Accounts from and about educators, however, show more must be done to protect teachers from students who pose a physical danger.
A negative public perception of district leadership and trust didn't happen overnight and won't be solved that quickly.
Restoration of trust will require transparency, honesty and two-way communication.
What do those words mean in terms of behavior and actions.
Board members and administrators can practice listening skills by hosting public forums and appearing at school functions and meetings of parent-teacher associations. Our experience is parents and patrons of the district are willing to share what's on their minds. Make it easy for them; go to where they gather.
In addition, the district will be gaining new leadership when Larry Linthacum takes over as superintendent on July 1. That's not a comment, it's simply a fact. With new leadership comes new opportunities to restore trust.
Finally, we encourage board members to eliminate the practice of speaking with one voice - the board president. It's bad advice that perpetuates a circle-the-wagons mentality.
District patrons elected each board member individually; they deserve to hear each member's individual thoughts as their representative.
Board members must remember they work for the patrons, not the district.