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March 25, 2005

Educrat Scramble

Teaching kids abuse of power pays

 

 

-Martin Kite-Powell

 

 

Rather than teaching them to read and write, some schools teach their kids how to behave when living under a corrupt regime: i.e. not to whistle-blow on the criminal behavior of state employees.

 

The story of course is about Elaine Almagno, principal of Providence, RI high school who suspended a boy for catching her smoking on school property (which is a violation of several laws) and posting the proof on his website. She, in her own self-interest, used her authority as school principal and suspended the student when he wouldn’t be silenced at her demand to tidy up her personal mess. This, to me reveals a serious character flaw on Elaine’s part and any school board that does not immediately call for her dismissal is begging for future abuse.

 

Eventually, the principal was over-ruled and sanctioned and the boy was reinstated, but not without there first being a major CYA at the superintendent's office:

 

 

Superintendent of Schools Melody Johnson went public, saying that Almagno, "a veteran administrator with a 25-year unblemished record," had made a mistake.

 

 

A “mistake?” Teaching your students that mules are usually fertile and produce other mules is a mistake. Teaching a kid that the entire system around them is corrupt, that those who are on the side of truth and the law are severely punished is more than a mistake. These educrats must have been reading the Michael Shiavo Book of Teaching.

 

After returning to school the boy was then brow-beaten by the vice-principal, who also apparently seems lost in the high-weeds when he told the boy his honest-citizen actions were not appropriate. What the vice principal should instead have communicated to the boy was that this was an object-lesson in what happens when people break the law: honest people catch them. And no matter what may happen in the short-term, justice eventually prevails. If anything the boy should have been recognized as a hero, becase from all accounts he is.

 

Posted by Martin at March 25, 2005 01:48 PM

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