There is a story that is told about a tractor trailer that becomes wedged underneath a highway overpass. Expert engineers were brought in to figure out how to get the truck out from under the bridge in the most efficient way, causing the least amount of damage, at the least expense. After several hours a crowd began to form. The experts however, were at a loss as to how to solve the problem. A young child standing with his mother, watching the scene with a great deal of interest, called one of the engineers over and asked if he could help. The engineer smiled and thought to himself, “Isn’t that cute, this young man thinks he can solve this problem when a whole team of experts cannot.” But, not wanting to discourage the young man the expert said, “Ok young man, what would you do?” The young boy replied simply, “Let the air out of the tires.”
When considering the myriad of problems we face in the system of education in Rochester, each individual, each group, is looking for an expert on which to rely for solutions. What individuals and groups are not considering is that these experts are being trained by the same corporations that are causing many of the problems we now face in education.
In a conference call sponsored by Parents Across America, parents from as far away as Arizona and the state of Washington spoke about the problems they are having suppressing the corporate take-over of education through mayoral control and the insurgence of Broad Institute superintendents. Comments made by the primary speakers could very well have been made by any activist leader here in Rochester.
This community came together and created a list of criteria with which to determine the selection of our next superintendent. We must remain true to our vision and not allow the illusion of expertise to overshadow the reality of the characteristics, skills and knowledge of someone who can and will actually effect educational change in our district for our children.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
