Public schools should quit acting like corporations

ACHTUNG: This is not a fair and balanced article. It is an editorial by the editor.

 “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when at first we practise to deceive.” — Sir Walter Scott

Public schools have been under fire for a spell, some of it undeserved, some of it deserved. I’ve been an almost life-long supporter of public schools, especially in the face of well-funded lopsided challenges from private, charter and religious education.

But when public school officials tell us on one hand that transparency is of the utmost importance, then conveniently leave out critical information when something controversial happens, there is a serious problem.

When such instances arise, I see public schools as being no different than corporate entities that too often won’t give the unwashed masses the straight poop. They sometimes fall into that bloody awful manufactured public relations habit that’s reminiscent of “He resigned to spend more time with his family.”

I’m particularly disappointed in recent announcements of high school football games being canceled. In these times when Covid is king, it often is the reason why the contests have been called off. So say so.

However, in recent local developments, the official (corporate) line is that the game “has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances” with no explanation of the reason — Covid 19.

The first time I noticed a ballgame called off was a regularly scheduled football matchup between Martin and Lawrence. It turned out that at least one of the Clippers had tested positive for the Coronavirus.

There is no shame in this. In fact, school officials should be lauded for avoiding the risk of spreading the disease any further.

Strangely, Martin returned to the gridiron on a Saturday afternoon to play a team it defeated in its season opener, Tri-Unity Christian. I am told the contest was arranged hastily, just one night after Martin’s second cancellation, against Marcellus, had been called off.

Then came the news that the regular season finale, at Bangor, was canceled. This time, the reason was that the host school had begged off competing.

Then came the news this week that undefeated Hopkins had to cancel its Parents’ Night home game against O-K Silver Conference opponent Kelloggsville, which had a snowball’s chance in Hades of beating the Vikings on the field. Hopkins had at least one player test positive and the forfeit mars and otherwise spotless campaign.

My point here is that school officials are doing themselves and their communities no favors by not coming out immediately and presenting the reason for the cancellation. Telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth goes a long way in advancing the public’s trust in the public school system, by living up to the promise of transparency.

Acting like corporate entities and somehow obscuring the truth at the outset sows the awful seeds of mistrust.

So, I implore public schools to act like public schools, stand for the truth and quit acting like corporations.