Sweet 16.
In her 16th week on the job, Ms. Cote has a chance — rather, an obligation — to settle the little half-million-dollar dispute that has flared up between the Teachers Union and the School District.
This is the Super’s image-determining test.
Will she seize the initiative and dampen the reddening tempers?
Which Path?
Or will she emulate the lead of her predecessor, break into an unseemly sweat and book passage on a slow, leaky rowboat to Athens?
This is not a scenario that even a religious woman would have to pray over.
The strategy is instinctive. Thirty years as an administrator must have prepared the Super for this moment.
This Is Not Complex
Her course is as obvious as bold gold strokes on a large easel.
The present situation requires the teaspoon of courage that the last Superintendent lacked or hid.
That the brewing dispute with the Teachers Union has been allowed to fester already for weeks suspiciously feels like her predecessor’s M.O.
Saving Osama Time
There is only one comforting aspect about the lack of leadership displayed so far.
When Al Qaeda comes to Culver City to recruit leaders, it will not bother to stop by the School District offices.
Whether the Super tells the Teachers Union, in a nice way, of course, to pound sand, or chooses a more sensible exit, is not the issue.
A Profile in (Fill in the Blank)
Sitting several rows back at last night’s School Board meeting, I studied the Super, at length, in profile.
Why, I mused, did she come to Culver City? To quietly observe? To blend in? Or to lead?
No answer is obvious today, but it soon will be.
Gooey Pastry
Listening to the tidal waves of fluffy, confectionery business that the School Board obligatorily transacted during the opening hour, I wondered what thoughts were coursing through the minds of serious people in the room.
What am I doing here?
Narreshkeit, we call it in the homeland.
Time to Check the Inside
Back to observing the Super:
Handsomely chiseled, she makes a grand public appearance. Dresses and looks like a leader.
But leadership, as all big people know, is more about internal rather than external equipment.
Otherwise, the School Board could have hired one of those soap-allergic bums who hangs out at Starbucks.
A Profile in Uncourage?
Dress him in a suit of clothes from the Salvation Army, point him toward the Super’s chair, spell out his title in kelly green crayon, and, presto, the District has saved a treasury full of money on the artificial thing.
Who could tell?
Based on recent experiences, we wretches out in the community never would know the difference because we have not become accustomed to seeing even chintzy teardrops of courage emanating from the Super’s well-defended quarters.
Were They Deceived?
It may not be that President Dave Mielke and the 350 members of the Teachers Union were submarined by what some are labeling the U-boat veterans in the District offices.
Perhaps in the pristinity of the immaculate sanctuaries of their minds, the top tier of leaders at the District concluded that the $500,000 was none of the Union’s business.
About Saving Money
The Super knew they would find out not only eventually but quickly. She also realized fireworks would result.
You lead by being pro-active, not reactive.
Otherwise, I will walk across to Starbucks and rent one of those unbusy bums. Hand me a bottle of perfume, Murgatroyd.
