Red Oak school district leader’s abilities, motives questioned by reader

 Dear Editor,

I don’t claim to know it all, and I certainly don’t know allof the politics and legalities of school administration. However, I’m a Mom, community member, and professional in Red Oak and I would like to voice concerns I have regarding recent events and the changes in our school district.    

Since moving here four years ago, my husband and I have been more than thrilled with the staff, leadership, and education our children have experienced at Kaleidoscope and Inman Primary School. I gladly drop my children off and know they are treated exactly how I’d like them to be. The concern begins when I think of them moving from Inman into other buildings where I don’t see the same level of leadership or treatment of students and staff which are necessary to make an incredible learning experience.  

These buildings have phenomenal teachers and support staff, but do they have the leadership that builds on those strengths and strives to improve the weaknesses? I truly believe we need to take care of the great teachers we have so our district doesn’t become a dumping ground for the poor teachers and a stepping stone for the great ones. Despite limited funds there are ways to keep these teachers here and my question is this: Do we have leadership in place that is doing that?  

When I look at our staff and principals here in Red Oak I find some of our top leaders do not live in or even near our district. When I see that, it concerns me as to what possible interest they could have in our students, staff and community. Is this just a paycheck, or are they truly trying to leave the schools better than they found them? From what many of us are seeing, this is NOT the case.  Are the decisions our board and superintendent making improving situations or making them worse?  

I know you can’t always go with the popular vote, and can’t make all decisions based on what the community wants.  However you can be open, honest, and share with concerned parents the steps being taken, and the changes being made. 

If you lead with integrity and clarity, and the community’s best interests at the forefront, then the parents and community will support those decisions. Sadly, I don’t believe that is how our district is being led and I also believe it’s difficult to do when this is not your home. I say our district is more important than just being someone’s paycheck. Make this your home.  

Let’s require more from our administrators and have leaders put in place that makes an investment in this community and the great people here.  

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Missy Stickland