The Story
The school board does not want to repeat the madness of this whole counselor issue. And we can’t blame them, so we sat down with Mr. Fournier to understand the latest developments..
Fill me in
With this issue that just won’t end, school board chair, Jay Nash, drafted a policy for employees who are asked to speak in court as a representative of the district－key word being drafted. This is a fetus policy; it’s in the early stages. But anyone else wondering what sparked this? The policy would set up a chain of command. The employee goes to the principal, who goes to the superintendent, who will ultimately make a decision, only going to the school board if necessary.
So that’s it?
Not so fast. If this policy had been in place, Mr. Fournier isn’t sure that it would’ve changed the outcome of this past summer. Zanna Blaney, the administrator that was asked to testify as a representative of BHS, asked previous superintendent Chip McGee for permission. From what it seems, McGee did not go to the school board. However, the policy does not require the superintendent to ask for permission. If McGee had not resigned, it would’ve been unlikely that the school board fire him. But, as you know, snow days cause a lot of pressure, and after this heavy winter, he just couldn’t do it anymore.
And Blaney?
She was put on administrative leave a few weeks ago, but Fournier made it clear that she did nothing legally wrong in going to testify, because she had permission. This leaves us to guess at why she’s on leave. All Fournier would say is that the investigation turned up enough evidence against her to take the action. So all we can do is assume, which we’re hesitant to do, because we all know what happens when you assume. We think that Blaney was put on leave because she not only read Kristie Torbick’s performance reviews, which is what she and McGee agreed on, but actually gave her own opinions.
So let’s review
We’re going to dumb this down. Blaney, who was asked to represent the district, requested permission, and it was granted. McGee did not communicate with the school board. And the counselors, Mulcahey and Mattson, chose to act in an individual capacity.
This new policy would require any employee who is asked to represent the district to submit a written request for permission. But, as currently drafted, the superintendent would not have to confer with the school board in responding to a request. And the policy would only apply to those who are representing the school district.
Now what?
Let’s play pretend. If this policy had been in place, Blaney still would’ve been put on leave for something other than violating the policy. But, who knows, maybe she would’ve gotten the boot for not writing an official request. Because we’re a school, and we like words. And paper. So, naturally, words on paper are appealing. McGee probably still would have resigned for “breaking the community’s trust.” The counselors acted as individuals, but they still probably would’ve been investigated to verify that they were not violating the policy. So, the policy is basically a community stress ball. It’s meant to alleviate the anger over the issue, but in reality it doesn’t do anything.
The Runaway
This summer was probably the school board’s worst nightmare, and, with a drafted policy that does not seem to make any real difference, we’re hoping that it’s the last time something like this ever happens. Now, where’s our next Bedford soap opera?
What to say…
When you realize the kinder pep rallies are here to stay…
So is AP. In parents’ feedback to the school board, parents complained that the curriculum was fractured between AP and IB, and the school board needs to choose one and stick with it. We know, decisions are hard. According to Cindy Chagnon, not only is the school board keeping the AP classes, they want to add more. Yeah, we know, but hear it out, before your mind explodes. The school board recognizes that IB is not for everyone, ergo the AP classes. While their reasoning is solid, it seems like they have failed to realize that this curriculum divide, while it may benefit some students, screws over others, particularly the diploma candidates. Not expanding the amount of IB courses gives diploma candidates a very limited selection of courses, which may discourage people from partaking in the diploma. The fractured curriculum forces students to choose: IB or AP. Which, to be fair, was their point. But, school board, to put it in simpler terms, those who like The Office may also like Parks and Recreation. Why do we have to choose? Like we said, decisions are hard.
When you’ve already started to daydream about snow days…
Winter is coming. When we met with him this week, Mr. Fournier let on two things: he is going to try to call snow days the night before, and he feels like there’s less pressure because, no matter what, the last day of school is June 14. We interpret this to mean he doesn’t mind calling a lot. Or maybe that’s just how we want to interpret it. However, will Fournier be around long enough to be calling snow days? School board vice chair, Cindy Chagnon, divulged, in a meeting with the Runaway, that the board is conducting a search outside of the district for the position, as they have done previously with other positions. She told us that Fournier is a strong candidate, which is why they originally chose him. So, it’s safe to say that our almighty snow day caller is still “in the running.” Possibly, on the inside track.
When you feel like no one listens to a word you say…
Maybe they just don’t understand. The other parent complaint: no classes for the middle level (the average achievers). This stems out of many thinking that classes for the above average and the below average are covered. But, plot twist! Cindy Chagnon said PSP classes are supposed to be for the middle level. Let that sink in. As for the lower level? Crickets. This is what we’re assuming the school board’s logic is: if there is no lower level class for the below average students, then these students have to challenge themselves with the middle level classes, and hopefully improve. This is the school board’s logic with not having D’s. If they don’t offer D’s, then everyone has to strive for C’s. The logic is sound, but it does not translate. In reality, PSP has changed to accommodate the below average achievers, and IB has changed to accommodate the average achievers. So, the real level missing is the higher level. However, the administration “no comprendo’s.”
When you thought you were going to make it through a whole issue without having to hear about sports…
Nice try! But don’t worry, we’ll make it quick. Last Tuesday, Boys soccer triumphed over undefeated Central. However, for some reason, we are not seeded number one because Central played an extra game. Something seems fishy, that’s all we’re saying. Girls soccer wasn’t so lucky. We are seeded lucky number five. And we don’t really want to talk about it, but, in Football, Bedford won against BG 59-27. 27! Before that, we held every team to seven points or less. And, to make it worse, BG sucks. We’re not even saying that because, you know, it’s BG. The team is 1-6, while we’re undefeated. That’s just embarrassing. So, to make everyone feel better, golf won their fifth straight championship last Thursday.
When you felt let down by last week’s issue…
How about that cliffhanger? Yes, we did leave you hanging with the fate of the no access policy. So, because we care about you guys, we talked with Mr. Fournier. The no access policy not be brought back to the school board, meaning the decision is completely in the hands of Fournier. He will respect all of the requests to change counselors, but feels that going any farther steps on the rights of other students. However, he has yet to make a final decision. Sorry, another cliffhanger.
Things to Know
The Results are in
As you are all completely aware, last week was fat bear week. Because it was such an important issue, we polled our Instagram on the two final bears. It was close－out of our 70 voters, 51 percent voted for 747, and 49 percent voted for 409 Beadnose. Let us tell you, we were totally rooting for 747. But, as we’ve said in the past, BHS is a hell of a lot smarter than the rest of the country. Officially, 409 Beadnose won. It’s fine, though. It’s not like we cared that much.
Pepless
Last Friday, BHS had a pep rally, that was far different than anything before it. Many of the usual characteristics were taken away: no chanting ‘go home freshman,’ no tagging underclassmen with paint, no deciding who participates in the events by popular demand, and no competing by class. While many of these things seem, as we write them, mean, in reality, most students don’t see them that way. Since Instagram polls are now our thing, we asked our followers their opinion on the pep rally. Out of 57 students, 33 percent voted that it was “so much fun,” and 67 percent voted that they were “dead inside.”