I am a current HHS teacher with 20+ years experience.  I'm not directly involved and have no direct knowledge of the current allegations (although I could give first-hand accounts of similar incidents from previous years and have every reason to believe the second-hand information I have received from those involved about the current incidents).  However, I feel that much of the discussion I hear -- in this forum and others, at the grocery store, etc. -- totally misses the point.  The issue here is not about an 89% vs. a 90%, or Connie supporters vs. Andy supporters, or Rush's personal life.  The real issue is the culture of mistrust and lack of communication, and the lack of consistent leadership that has led to a situation where teachers must go to the media to be heard, school board members trust no one, and what is best for football skews the decision making of those in charge.
 
Hoover High School is about much more than just football.  The vast majority of the faculty and staff at HHS do our jobs to the best of our ability every day and provide all of our students with the quality education the community expects.  We're the ones who have held everything together this long, through all the changes and challenges we're endured.  Is it any wonder that teacher turn over at HHS is so high?  We are frustrated and stressed beyond words in our attempts to maintain that quality of education when we must constantly watch our backs, cover our butts, and assess the political repercussions of every word or action.
 
I believe that the current investigation will ultimately prove to be positive for Hoover City Schools and the community it serves -- not because it results in the dismissal of certain individuals (although that could be part of the solution) but because it will force us all to re-focus on what is really the most important -- the welfare of those children in our care.  (Imagine a school system in which what is best for the children is actually the guiding force in every decision. ) However, there is no doubt that the investigation and its immediate results will be painful and divisive in the short run, and that rebuilding trust will be a long-term process to which all involved must commit fully.
 
My sense is that those in the community and at all levels within the school system are unsure how to proceed.  I humbly suggest this course of action:  remove the city council members when they come up for re-election.  Insist that their replacements appoint qualified school board members whose focus is on what's best for the students and the school system as a whole rather than what's best for them personally or for the factions with which they are allied.  Most of all, demand that a culture of open communication among all involved and in all directions be the top priority.  Stop just talking about it -- get involved and settle for nothing less.  Aren't the children worth it?
 
We have an opportunity to teach our children something very important here -- how to deal with adversity in a positive way, how to behave with integrity when those around you are not, and how to become part of the solution rather than perpetuating the problem.  Let's not lose that opportunity.

Amen VoR.  Teachers have enough of a challenge simply teaching, without everything else going on there.  Tpp bad more of their voices can't be heard more often.

Quote from voiceofreason on 07/24/07 at 12:59pm:

 
Thank you for having the courage to speak out.  I stand by my belief that the teachers in Hoover City Schools are among the top in the nation.  You have again proven that our teachers go beyond skill and have integrity as well.  So, thank you again.