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I recently retired after teaching 31 years in the Marietta City Schools system. I'm not a bitter ex-employee; I loved my job, the students, and the incredible colleagues I worked with.
Why does our current superintendent need a personal PR person to improve the schools' image? Isn't that his job: to represent the schools and help the district reach its goals? Our district is failing academically, but the BOE hired this Communication Director at the cost of an actual teacher who could have been working with our students -- shows you the BOE mindset.
Our district is stagnant, it has regressed significantly in the past 15 years. Employee morale is the lowest it has been in my 31 years. I served as the Marietta Professional Association President several terms over my teaching tenure. I worked with superintendents -- Bumgarner, Fleming, Young, Baker, Thomas, Hampton -- and I always advocated for students and teachers first. With the majority of the superintendents, the union had little work to do because the relationship was professional and mutually respectful. Transparency was evident; we always knew that, in the end, we were on the same team. This community deserves so much better than the current leadership (BOE/Superintendent).
It IS time to shake up the status quo! Unless we have BOE members who are not afraid to make systematic change at the very top, NOTHING will change. BOE President Garrison is wrong when he talks about the learning curve of a BOE member.
It is not rocket science to be able to hit the door running if you have done your homework. We have 5 candidates running for 3 positions right now. These folks want to do the job. LET THEM!
John Lehman has done his homework; he absolutely has a clear understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. He has a plan! He does not require a learning curve and will NOT simply "fall into line." My friends know I am a die-hard liberal. But I have discussed John's plans and ideas with him and I believe they will help our school system better meet the current needs of our children and the community's future.
I also know from having taught all three of John and Lori Lehman's kids as students and having had him as a parent of a student, he has always supported teachers. Beyond that, through the years John has made many behind-the-scenes random acts kindness: donations, help to teachers, struggling students, and former students. John Lehman has directly supported the people of Marietta City Schools for years.
Marietta, I think we have a great opportunity. I see five viable candidates for BOE! I ONLY ask that you consider who can and will instigate the needed systematic change without hesitancy.
Kimberly S. Depue
Marietta