The minute your kid starts some social function - be it library group
or school - there's one set of parents you can identify by the wide
berth between them and every other parent in the pick-up line.
You
know the parents I'm talking about. They complain. About EVERYTHING.
Nothing is their kid's fault. And there's no more loaded a question
than "how are you?"
But the next time your school administrators whine that they need
more parent volunteers, you might want to ask them: do you weed out the
whiny parents?
A Maryland school district is in hot water with
parents after a board of education member let slip that principals
"might not pick PIAs" (yes, that would be pains in the tuchas) to stand
on committees and other school organizations. According to the
Washington Post, the board was discussing School Improvement Teams,
when an argument broke out over wether they're open to everyone or just up to
the principal's discretion.
Members of the public charged the district with being secretive
about who is on the committees and doesn't advertise for members.
As
a parent who has steered clear of the contrary parents as much as
possible, there's that knee-jerk reaction to the story that prompts me
to say: "well, you wants a pain in the ass on your committee?"
But let's face it, parents who complain have a say too. At least,
they should. Because their kids are as affected by the governance of a
school as anyone else. You may not like them, but they're still a
critical part of the school community.
Dig deeper, and you might find the whiny parents bring an extra
facet to school governance that you and I won't bring. Because the
contrary view might not be popular. It may not even be right. But it's
evocative. And when it comes down to choosing someone to represent my views,
I'd like to know there was someone who isn't afraid to speak their mind
up there on a board or focus group. Who wants a mouse who will "yes"
the school administration to death? Because they aren't going to change
a thing.
So listen up administrators. I don't not want to sit next to them at
the class play, but the pain in the ass parents are still parents.
Which means you answer to them too.
Image: Gifts.com
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