A long-time and beloved guidance counselor at Madison High School in Northeast Portland is facing the threat of “involuntary transfer” to a different Portland Public School, but students at Madison aren’t taking the news lying down. This afternoon, about 50 students staged a walkout to protest the counselor’s possible departure.
Turmoil isn’t new to Madison this year. Earlier this spring, teachers at the 820-student school were reeling over cuts to the teaching staff. They were also voicing increasingly harsh assessments of Madison’s administration and the school district’s plans to keep Madison students divided into three “small schools.”
That discontent was a factor in the students’ protest this afternoon because their guidance counselor, David Colton, is one of the most vocal critics of the recent changes at Madison. If administrators have their way, this could be his last year at Madison. “I think I’m being scapegoated for a lot of the problems that exist in the building,” Colton, who’s worked at Madison for 10 years, says. [For details on those problems, please read the link in the second paragraph.]
Here’s what the students have to say about why Colton should stay at Madison:
• “I don’t know if I’ll trust another counselor,” says Samantha Mathews, a 15-year-old freshman.
• “Last year I failed four of my classes,” says Rachael Rogers, a 16-year-old sophomore. “I wasn’t thinking about dropping out, but I was discouraged.” Colton, she says, brought her to his office, told her he would help her graduate from Madison and to go to college. “I’m passing all my classes now.” She’s also eligible to play basketball again.
• “It’s hard to speak for everyone but most of the kids don’t like the small communities,” says Joe Scorse, who wants to study German, which is offered at Madison but not at the “small school” he attends. His “small school” offers only Spanish in its foreign language department. Yet Colton, Scorse says, has helped other students change “small schools” or take classes at different “small schools,” even though that practice is not encouraged by administrators.
• “Colton’s had our back now we’ve got his,” says Saba Saleem, a 17-year-old junior.
• “Basically, Colton puts students before his own job by bypassing policies,” says Ryan Boileau, one of the organizers with Heaven-Leigh Carey, a 16-year-old sophomore, who helped gather 300 signatures from students for a petition to “Save Dave.”
• “Without him, the GSA [Madison's Gay-Straight Alliance] wouldn’t exist,” Heaven-Leigh Carey says.
Fun factoid: After students were told they could not put “Save Dave” posters on the walls and lockers at Madison, they taped the signs to their shirts, where free speech enjoys greater protections.
A spokesman for Portland Public Schools declined comment on Colton’s fate, calling it a personnel issue.
Photos: Zach Hogg, 15-year-old freshman (top), and students posing for the television cameras.
- Teacher Cuts at Madison, or Why Not Talking More About High Schools is Bad: Example No. 1 Teachers
- Madison High School Abandons “Small School” Reform Madison H
- Mandatory Reading: How to Help Madison High School Last sprin
- A Free Ride For Portland High School Students This morn
- Slumming with High School Students … for a Good Cause In case y
i believe you accurately summarized our issue with the administrative section of the school and our concern for our beloved counselor. thank you mucho beth. also looking forward to having you in our journalism classroom next year.
Madison is our neighborhood school, and we chose to send our student there. For the most part, we have been completely satisfied and endorse Madison to other parents. I find it disheartening that a man who truly puts the students’ needs ahead of administrative desires will be forced to leave. On the subject of "small schools" at Madison: with only 800 or so students, why can’t the 2-instead-of 3 option be more objectively studied; why can’t the policy be changed so students are easily allowed to "cross-over" to classes to meet their educational goals. It’s the students that matter, not the iron control of administrators. Could it be that 2 small schools would mean that an administrator would be pounding the pavement looking for a new job? Can’t let that happen.
I agree with Ryan, you have accuratly said what needs to be said. We need Mr. Colton in order to help us reach our goals. He is the man who helped me get some of my desired classes for this year and the year before. Most of the student body puts their faith, education, and trust into this man. Without him, I believe, our "precious" Madison High School would be a place where students no longer have a voice in their educations. "Colton is the students voice."
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Well i dont agree with Ariana or any of the other people advocating that Colton should stay in Madison. While it may be that a portion of the high school does trust Colton, not the MAJORITY of the school trusts Colton. I know this because I asked virtually everyone in my community (M) and none of them even cared for Colton being transfered. Plus there is nothing you can do about it so this entire conversation is moot.
Kudos to the Madison students for taking a stand on principle. It is very important to shine a light on the way the "small schools" model (foisted on PPS by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and implemented exclusively at our poorest schools) gives our students less choice, and costs the district more.
It makes no sense to deny students the opportunity to take a class offered on their campus, simply because it is not in their "academy."
Hang in there Madison, Roosevelt, and Marshall… We in the Jefferson cluster have convinced the district to merge the two main academies at Jeff. We’re still a long way from the kind of comprehensive high school we see at Grant, Lincoln, Cleveland or Wilson, but we’re at least edging away from this failed "small schools" experiment.
I really appreciate the accuracy of this article and it has allowed our voice to be herd. Mr. Colton not only helped me with obtaining all of the classes I wish to take but also convinced me to give Madison a shot when I was on the fence from either coming to Madison or attending Grant. This small community nonsense has caused a great deal of harm to the students a faculty at Madison High School. I know that if this is still in place by the time my younger sister is ready to attend I will discourage my parents in enrolling her at Madison.
Thank you for such great honesty in this article. Mr. Colton deserves nothing but the best. He has always been there for each and every way, no matter what. We love him with all of our hearts and hope that he will be able to stay with us much longer. The whole point of this protest is to prove to the administration that we the students aren
I don’t even know our principal’s name (I think it starts with a ‘P’) and I’ve been going to this school for 3 years. She makes no effort to get to know students or hear what we have to say. Mr. Colton is an exceptional counselor and as Kylar Giese said in a recent article in The Constitution, our high school newspaper, "Mr. Colton knows my name, and he’s in a different community. My own counselor doesn’t even know my name."
Keep beating the drums Steve Rawley (and these engaged students). We need equal curriculum district wide.
Turn Madison back into a comprehensive High School with a full curriculum (like Grant) and you will see enrollment rise. You will see neighborhood students stay in district. You will see relief in overcrowding at Grant.
This three school experiment wreaks of the Adams High School Daze. Couple this with the new 8th grade academy (Remember last year
Wow! If we keep ‘improving’ on Madison like this there will be nothing left! Small schools has been a disaster at Madsion High School and David Colton is not he only staff person, parent or student to voice that observation. Student choice has been gutted leaving many students without the opportunity to participate in classes offer only feet away from them. Student access to teachers whom they have a rapport and mutual respect for such as cross-country coach and social studies teacher John McNulty has been curtailed (hope he’s not next the ‘get rid of everyone that cares enough to voice dissent’ agenda), and what strives to be a unified student body is fragmented. David Colton is an invaluable asset to Madison, not only as a counselor but also as an advocate of marginalized students and protector of our kids. He’s helped to cultivate the environment of tolerance found at Madison with his work with the Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as kept watchdog over the vulturous military recruiters who we’re abusing their mandated limited access to our kids while at school, both these actions above and beyond his role of guidance counselor. In addition Colton has been an advocate for ALL Madison students in the advocating to ensure post graduation opportunities to all graduating seniors, be it at a college campus, vocational training program, or community employment or apprenticeship. His respect for the students well being and success is unquestionable, and while his presence would be of benefit wherever he went, the Madison Community needs him, and we
Great respect and admiration is due to the group of students who protested the unfair transfer of Dave Colton from Madison. It took a lot of courage for them to "politely" defy school administrators. They have a right to be heard and are frustrated that they have no real voice in how Madison is run. Mr. Colton is such a great asset at Madison. He does not want to leave, but for no apparent good reason, is being forced to do so. I agree that the small school scenario, while it does have some good points, is too inflexible in allowing students to take advanced placement classes they wish to take in another community. It is not too late for the subject to be reconsidered. Change the way classes are structured, and allow Dave Colton to remain at Madison where he is much loved and needed.
I can tell just by the students writing in to support Mr. Colton that he has a positive impact in their lives. Their commentary is articulate and sincere. We must listen to these young men and women, who are our future.
Mr. John Q Parent has some very important points: return Madison to a comprehensive high school; look out for Area Director Bev Pruitt whose ineptitude has failed the students of Madison and the rest of the cluster. She should be let go–not Mr. Colton.
The 8th grade academies? What the heck is going on with this mess that Vicki Phillips piled onto this cluster of schools. I feel sorry for Carole Smith, who is left to pick up the pieces. But if she has the character that Phillips lacks, she can start her heroic journey by eliminating small schools, restoring comprehensive ones, keeping worthy counselors such as Colton, and cleaning house with liabilities such as Pruitt.
I have to say I am in the minority here. As I read this stuff I can’t help but think there is more to the story. If Portland admin isn’t saying anything then I would bet Mr. Colton has some personnel issues that are not open for public discussion. I mean, come on….this has nothing to do with small schools!
Why is it the only thing I read on here from Madison is whining and complaining about their work, their school, their structure, etc. Seems to me that these teachers sure have a lot of time on their hands to call reporters, rile up communities, etc. If only they put that kind of effort into their teaching,they might have better results.
As a parent, I leave schools when teachers don’t deliver. Administrators don’t teach. The bottom line is the teachers and face it, your results suck. Look in the mirror.
hey guy, teachers rifled no reporters. for the students by the students all the way. you are ignorantly accusing us of the same ignorance. and when administrators leave teachers with no students to work with and make teachers jobs hectic, it can have an outstanding effect on the outcome no matter the teaching style or performance.
You do not even know the facts in which you are talking about, Sir or Ma’am. No offense, but it wasn’t the teachers decision. We students are just standing up for our rights, which as the Constitutuion allows, is our right! The teachers here are awesome and supportive. They get to know us, you can’t say that for many high schools now a days. So maybe next time you want to say something, no the facts. Look into what you are saying. Mr. Colton has bee defending us, in small schools as well, for most things that we believe in. Us students decided to take a stand in what we believe in and since the studenta and teachers are not being heard, did something about it. The reporters came to us. Get the facts right next time.
With all do respect, Sir or Ma’am, you haven’t the slightest idea of what you are talking about. One, the teachers here are awesome and actually teach us something. You have no right to blame them or even judge them for anything that us, the students, have done in order for us to fight for us to believe in. Also, you have no clue what you are talking aout witht eh reporters, it was the STUDENTS who called the reporters so we could show that we NEED David Colton here. We need him to keep us safe from the four administrators at our school who are only listening to themselves. They do not realize, and neither do you quite frankly, Sir or Ma’am, that they are screwing around with our futures. They are taking one of the best things at Madison and you are being ignorant enough to support them. So next time you say something about our school, find the facts on what you are talkng about. Because now we just see that some of the parents out there are as ignorant as our administration! Maybe if you had some of our teachers when you were younger you wouldn’t be such an idiot. Also, from what I know, Julie Howland and our "principal" Pat Thompson are the people trying to get Colton out because he is standing up for what he and the students believe in. Get you facts straight next time.
Tired of the Whining??? I suppose you’d like everyone to just shut up and do what Big Brother tells them to do. Because the "Portland admin" won’t give a reason for moving this counselor, you would "bet Mr. Colton has some personnel issues that are not open for public discussion???" That’s character assassination–why not just erect a stake in the courtyard and pile some kindling around it. I’ll bet you’ve got your gasoline & matches all ready. Your name wouldn’t be McCarthy, would it? Or is that reference beyond your understanding? Maybe "admin" isn’t giving a reason because they don’t really have one, other than not liking Mr. Colton. You and people who "think" like you might just bring us to a new dark age where rational discourse and critical thinking are forbidden. Then you’ll be able to dance around the burning bad people, howling at the moon.
Despite the ongoing concerns of students, families, and teachers about the Gates small school "reforms" PPS seems intent on plowing ahead with these experiments in all of our low income neighborhoods. Check out this PPS newsletter which is supposedly a piece to "Spotlight" the 2008 PPS Graduates but is really a thinly veiled propaganda piece for the small school reforms. The official view of the small schools sure differs from what you hear from families at Madison and Jefferson. http://app.e2ma.net/campaign/a3b116b8c5bb416fb889db44544db835
Carole Smith is proving to be no better the Vicki Phillips. Her high school planning team is led by John Wilhelmi, a small schools advocate who helped force those reforms on the Jefferson community. We can all expect more of these idiotic high school reforms until Mr. Wilhelmi is booted from the district’s Office of High Schools.
I’m a Madison student and I want to say thank you, Beth Slovic. Your article is wonderful and I really think accurately told about what is happening and the students feelings.
David Colton is a wonderful person and so amazingly important to our school, it’s tough for us sometimes to make a point even with him backing us and I can’t even imagine what it would be like without him.
"Tired of the Whining"
In response to your response, why blame the teachers for this? They had nothing to do with the rally. Myself and Ryan Boileau started the whole walk-out. It had nothing to do with what the teachers wanted. I also was the one who called all the newspapers and TV stations. I want to get this message across that we want him to stay, and for good.
By the way, why insult the staff and their ability to teach students? If you’re a parent then you obviously haven’t had them as a teacher, so shut the hell up. You know nothing about them. If your son or daughter is failing, then that shows the level of incompetence they have. Nearly every teacher I’ve had at Madison has been wonderful, mainly my Journalism and English teacher Gene Brunak. He’s taught me persuasive writing styles so I can prove wrong the educationally ignorant such as yourself.
Thank you and have a nice day/evening
wow "tired of whining" when you comment on something you have no idea about it really shows a hole lot of ignorance, the reason we are commenting on the small schools is because that is what Mr. Colton is fighting against which is one of the main reasons our great administration is moving him. i personally am outraged that they would move such a great man and i think it is rediculis that some one like you would criticizes Mr. Colton and the students for something you know non to little about.
also it is parents like you who make madison have a low attendance record because you move your student to another school without even supporting the school and trying to change it for the better.
another thing is that our teachers are great, there just as qualified as any other teacher in PPS. It wasent the teachers who called the news it was the students who wanted people to see what was happening. Another great example of you not knowing what your talking about.
Mr.Colton is a vital part of Madison. If the administrators really want to improve Madison. Why would they get rid of a vital piece of Madison because of co-worker relationship problems? The administrators should be reviewed for removal and not Mr.Colton. I’m ashamed at the few people implementing this action.
at Tired of Whining.
I must reinforce my point further that due to other circumstances we will also be losing another of our counselors, and even the nonlogical such as yourself can understand that student connection with our counselors is of utter importance. To lose 2/3 of our counseling staff and have the remaining a newcomer to Madison anyhew is just devastation towards communication. I cant apologize for these students criticisms of you, I can just deliberate towards you the psychological impact David Colton has had on our ever decreasing student population. Both as a morale and educational fortifier. It is no secret that our schools are going through difficult times and I truly hope that instead of "tired of whining" as a name, you simply be called "Support our Schools." In advance, for opening your eyes to our educational issues, you are very welcome.
~News Editor of The Constitution
I praise the students that organized this walk out! David is the kindest, hardest working, most helpful, and real person at Madison. I can’t say enough good things about that man. He helped me with so much and was one of the only people that supported what I wanted to do with my education and career. He deserves to stay at this school and it will be a real bad decision for staff/the district if he leaves. Trust me. Good luck David!
Your friend,
-Austin Reed
2006 Student Body President
Madison High School
You go Austin!
I’ll call you when I get a chance. tony
Go Madison! Save Dave! Let’s unite against the small schools. What can we do to help?
Hey there everyone. This is Heaven-Leigh, the girl who started the SAVE DAVE campagian. Yeah, that’s me, the one who was at school at 6:45 in the morning putting up fliers.
In response to parents and anyone who does not fully understand why we did what we did or people who saw it happen and see it as pointless, I am here to clear that up:
Our cause started out strong and good. We began a sit down and were chanting and at one point we marched through the halls — during passing time mind you — to make our point even more powerful, but along the way we picked up some people who just wanted to scream and make noise. Those people were addressed and they were asked to leave from our protest, which after a while they did. We were not whining, but making our voices heard.
Colton is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I know I am not the only one. To many, Colton is the only person they trust and the only person they talk to, so when he is gone, where will they go? I wanted to start SAVE DAVE because Colton has had such and amazing IMPACT on all of us, we would be lost without him.
Along with helping students, he is the leader of the GSA — the Gay Straight Alliance, something Madison has and few other schools do. He is making a difference and because of the club we are becoming a less ignorant school and much more tolerant of other people’s choices. Rarely in the hallways do we hear "That’s so gay!" And all because of OUR Colton.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, I urge you to contact me. I understand the view of some partents who are against what we are doing, but I also want you to understand OUR view and why we are doing this.
Thank you,
Heaven-Leigh
I agree with you "tired of the whining". The administrators at a school do NOT TEACH,the teachers do. I would have to ask the same questions such as the teachers must have way too much time on their hands. When I heard of the protest I thought it was important for children to have their voice heard but when I found out as a parent that other students learning was being affected because of the yelling in the hallways I was frustrated. It is one thing to want your voice to be heard but another to distract those students that are at school FOR THEIR EDUCATION!!!!!!!!
Thanks! Anytime educators drag students into the fray, it tells me a lot about their professionalism. This counselor has crossed the line by bringing his crap out in public and letting students take up the cause. Of course they like him. But kids don’t know the whole story – they can’t. If he was worth his salt as a counselor for kids, he would leave gracefully and tell the kids to stop. It’s disruptive and takes them off the work they should be doing.
I saw red flags in the article that beth wrote when he said he overlooks policy on behalf of kids. Hmmmmm. What does that mean? There are probably some good reasons to stretch policy but I can only imagine. If he is so GOOD and so EFFECTIVE, then Madison principal would be fighting to keep him. Being an advocate against small schools is no biggie. There is more to this story, and most or you KNOW that, so quit pretending this is about small schools. This is about performance on some important issues that kids wouldn’t know about. However, with the ethics of this guy, I’m sure he’ll clue them in soon.
I got two interesting points from this article.
1. There is a counselor who is a valuable resource for students and he is being sent away.
2. A student who wishes to study German can’t do so because he doesn’t attend the "small school" within Madison that offers German.
Well, I once heard a cruel and stupid adage that says, "Those who can, do. Those can’t, teach."
It seems that it would be more accurate to say, "Those who can teach dedicate themselves to doing so. Those who can’t teach become administrators."
When will parents take a hard look at how much these bean-counting authoritarians are paid, compared to how much teachers are paid?????
Arrogance tends to pop up in the most unnecessary of places. Firstly all the students that lead the protest tried to keep it under control. As Heaven-Leigh pointed out when students were banging on the lockers we asked them to stop. We marched in the hallways during passing time (when Kids aren’t in class) and we were loud, because it was a protest, but we even moved outside the school. We tried to be mature about it and when they asked up to try not to disturb classes we did.
Also "tired of whining" you just go ahead and assume something happened and you say its not about small schools or the administrators of the school. You act like there’s no possible way we could be doing the right thing, and even worse you insult the man who has helped my education be successful. Mr.Colton didn’t rally us together and tell us to help him, we did it on our own because of our feelings about the administrators, him, and our school in general.
You’re correct that they won’t tell us why he is leaving, which is extremely frustrating for us, but you can’t just assume its for a just reason. Its wrong to just think the worst of someone right away. And to say that we, as students, are whining? I think you are very confused about the difference between whining and objecting.
I notice that those who are accusing those of us who are a part of the Madsion community, myself a parent, don’t seem to have any connection to the school or the brave students that attend, or the awesome teachers that do in fact teach, or the neighborhood that surrounds it? Please correct me if I’m wrong. If you are truly interested in our kids well being, and have the time, as you apparently do, we have a great need for volunteers, please feel free to pitch in and help anytime. Madison is the ‘other’ school on 82nd that starts with an "M" incase you’re one of the many who just know it’s over there somewhere in east Portland (you know how us low-income schools all look alike). Looking forward to your help.
Thanks!
In response to "tired of whinings second" comment concerning his slight disobediance towards policy, Erik Kohlberg, the developmental psychologist, theorized that the last true level of morality is the ability to distinguish right and wrong from a personal stand point whether or not it regards to law, or in this case. policy. Thus, from my opinion as well as others, his actions mark those of one true to himself as well as altruism for others. that makes him more of a hero than the counterpart you suggest.
In response to "agree with". Protest walks were held during passing time as a pre-planned way of getting the message across without diluting it with the actions you described. As to your hypothesis on student learning, with all due respect the loss of education you suspect, if true, would not even be close to the far improved education due to Mr. Colton.
~News Editor, Constitution
P.S. Nobody forgot about Marshall, name the help you want.
Ryan — your comment is well written and knowledgeable – congratulations — you are a fine representative of Madison – keep up the good work –
Madison students and families,
People across the district are beginning to recognize our shared problems from changes forced on schools by district and school administrators. Let’s take our concerns directly to the school board members who make policy decisions for PPS. The next school board meeting is Monday June 9th. (Agenda: http://www.board.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/10476)
The meeting starts at 7pm at 501 N. Dixon Street. People can sign up for citizen comment before the school board by either signing up in person prior to the meeting or by calling 503 916-3741. If you can’t attend a school board meeting send an email with your written concerns to SchoolBoard@pps.k12.or.us and Superintendent@pps.k12.or.us
The Oregonian reported today (June 13, 2008) that Madison teachers have approved a "no confidence" vote in their principal. First students organize a rally to voice their concerns, then teachers take a formal position to protest the administration of the school.
Way to go Madison community!!! Thank you for taking a stand to hold administrators and the district accountable for providing adequate support for lower income schools and students.
Madison students, teachers, and supporters:
please join the discussion about Madison and the other small school reforms at
http://joesschool.blogs.com/olsononline/2008/06/small-schools.html?cid=118756416#comments
Apparently, at least one school board member understands the limitations of the small school reforms. Ruth Adkins wrote the following letter to the school board in 2006 before she was elected.
SENT JUNE 2006
From: Ruth Adkins
To: School board office
Subject: Statement of support for Jeff
Dear Board members,
I’m very sorry I didn’t get to BESC in time to sign up and testify tonight. If I had, I would have read the resolution below on behalf of Rieke PTA (I’m very grateful to Ron Webb for reading it for me).
I also would have stated how appalled I am, as a Wilson parent and a citizen of Portland, to see Byrd’s chart comparing the rich array of course offerings at Wilson and other high schools with the shameful lack of courses to be offered next year at the Jeff "academies." This is an outrage.
I understand, of course, that the number and variety of courses a school can offer depends greatly on the size of the school. Why on earth, then, did PPS split an already small school into 4 tiny programs which could not possibly offer increased rigor and variety of coursework (many promises during the redesign process notwithstanding).
What student would want to choose a high school that offers only a fraction of the courses and curriculum provided at other high schools? What Jeff students asked for was more depth, more rigor, more variety. Instead they get a watered down, sharply limited, fragmented, middle-school caliber program. Of course they will continue to transfer out in droves, if they possibly can. Who wouldn’t?
Why did PPS extend a respectful and collegial (albeit challenging) partnership to the Rieke community, yet you refuse to heed the pleas of the Jefferson community? I see a disturbing inequity in the manner in which these two communities are treated by PPS.
Having observed the redesign process from the beginning, and seeing the manner in which the redesign and implementation process has unfolded, and the glaring inequity and insufficiency of course offerings unveiled for this fall, I can only conclude that despite all the fine talk, this entire process is intended to kill off Jefferson HS. Even if that is not the intention, that will surely be the result if you allow the PPS administration to continue on its current course. This situation is depressing, totally unnecessary, and just plain wrong. Please do the right thing, and halt the re-reconfiguration and planned extinction of Jefferson.
Sincerely,
Ruth Adkins
The letter is posted at:
http://joesschool.blogs.com/olsononline/2008/06/small-schools.html?cid=118756416#comments
Ruth Adkins: are you out there??? Please say something.
Ok, I’m a Madison teacher, and I have been talking nonstop to my cats, alternating between tears and anger after reading Carole Smith’s comments. The cats are tired of listening to me, so at risk of speaking out publicly, here I go…
Carole is just plain wrong about teachers not going through "proper channels"! WRONG!!! Over two years ago, when problems in the administration of small schools at Madison became so apparent to the most ardent supporters, teachers began to speak out. (I was not a fan of small schools from the get-go, but do like many things about the concept after trying it Some of the "proper channels?" Meetings (with district officials), surveys, work groups, teachers meeting at lunch to come up with ideas and suggestions rather than just "whine", calling in the union (Portland Association of Teachers) about suggestions how to proceed without irritating the people at the top, etc, ETC, ETC!!!!
I personally asked about a "vote of no confidence" and was warned a year ago by the union that we needed to try a lot more things as a staff, that a "no confidence vote" was the absolute last resort, and we’d better be darned sure that the majority of the staff was on board that one, because of the dire consequences. When I asked about a precedent for such a vote, there was only one brought as an example, it is so RARE. I’ve taught almost 34 years and have been through numberous strikes and what-not, but never, ever seen a no-confidence vote and hope to never witness this again.
The staff at Madison is not a volatile bunch,they are for the most part pretty quiet, and things have deteriorated badly enough that not much convincing to take this vote or participate in the vote was required.
Teachers did not deserve a tongue-lashing from Carole Smith, it feels like "blaming the victim". Our students spoke out, our parents don’t have the awesome force of other PPS groups. If teachers won’t speak out for what we believe in, who will? And, I personally met with Carole Smith months ago to tell her what I felt, at risk to my professional career (what’s left of it), and put my concerns in writing, BEGGING, PLEADING, ASKING her to come meet with Madison teachers. I had the best meeting with her, and immediately had the utmost respect and admiration for her listening skills and ability to hear my concerns. I don’t expect to agree with all her decisions, but told her that when I’m an old retired fart, I WOULD ALWAYS VOTE FOR ANY AND ALL PPS BOND MEASURES, even though my children are just furry ones….
To read her comments in the paper about the Madison staff just crushed me and it’s been hard to hold back the tears. Having worked in two states, umpteen schools, I can say the the most awesome, diverse and truly unique bunch of educators I’ve ever worked with are in NE Portland! I may not be buddies with them all, but every student in that building, regardless of where they come from or who they are, can find a teacher they connect with. Madison staff, you are the bravest bunch I’ve ever worked with, and I am proud of what you have done. YOU FOLKS HAVE INTEGRITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
I really do wish that our administration was collaborative enough that this vote never had to happen. But it did.
Oh, crap, I’ll probably pay for writing this in a public forum, but I didn’t check my free speech at the door when I became a teacher in 1975! And I’m NOT using district time or a district computer!!!
For a couple years now, people have told me what a great staff Madison has. I now believe it is true! I know how difficult it is to stand up to the PPS machine and, as a parent in a Madison feeder school who has struggled with the lack of leadership in our own school and with the ineptitude of the cluster director, Bev Pruitt, I have the utmost hope that something good might happen at Madison!
Wake up, Carole! Listen to the teachers, who echo the voice of Madison’s students and the greater community: we no longer want the small schools’ limited offerings. We want a school like Grant, Cleveland, and Lincoln, where many of our children leave Madison to attend. You must do something with the area director who has ignored the needs of our community for years!
To the PPS school board:listen to these teachers. They are some of the best in the city. Show some leadership and get rid of Pruitt and Thompson and others in positions of power who aren’t doing what’s right for our kids.
Shame on Carol Smith for siding with the inept principal. Wake up is right! The reform agenda started by Vicki Phillips is still alive and well with Carol Smith at the helm. We had hoped that maybe some change was bound to come, but guess not. Same old same old.
Carole Smith and the school board don’t give a damn about children of color and those at the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder.
And they don’t give a damn about their employees unless they toe the "district" line, which is often at odds with the best interests of the students – particularly at Madison, Marshall, Roosevelt and Jefferson.
I gave Carole Smith an honest chance. I gave Ruth Adkins an honest chance. The rest of the school board had already proven they don’t care about children that are poor and non-white.
Now Carole and Ruth are added to the list of PPS staff that have lost my respect and support. They should all hang their heads in shame.