A Reader Writes... Consolidation - Part 3

In response to the 8/16/12 post, “Consolidation – Part 2”a LYS Superintendent writes:
SC,
Great response. I love your answer, but how do we overcome this dilemmaand expose the far right's agenda and their hijacking of a political party tothe public?  After witnessing the 15% rule fall this past spring it lookslike "Mad Mommas" are the best way to grab the legislature'sattention.  How do we get parents to understand how public schools arebeing dismantled? I am frustrated like the original reader and it seemslike the continuous effort to fight for public education against this hostileagenda continues to take away from our mission of ensuring that our studentslearn and that we prepare them for their future.
SC ResponseAt one time I thought the answer was to better educate our constituentsabout the reality of the far right’s anti-egalitarian agenda.  And I have been doing that for the pastcouple of years, against the advice of some of those who have my best interestat heart.  But over the past twelve months I have come to the firm conclusion that problem really lies with us,educators.  As a group, we consistentlyvote for those who have no appreciation for the service that we provide and norespect for those of us that provide it. 
Because of the unique skill set that I possess and some advantageousconnections, I have been in the closed-door meetings with real powerbrokers.  Romney’s 47% comment didnot surprise me; I’ve heard it before. So when I’m presenting to large group of educators (which occursmultiple times a month), I regularly point out that our current lack ofresources, overcrowded classrooms, and punitive accountability system are all partof an orchestrated plan, executed by those who have held political power forthe past decade.  The overwhelmingaudience response? Usually groans, sometimes anger and the occasional questionof, “Well, whom should we vote for?”
To which I answer, “The opposition.”
That receives the universal reply of, “Well... I can’t do that.”
I hate to sound pessimistic, but it is a lonely battle when the peopleyou are fighting for aren’t willing to do the one thing that will further theircause – simply vote for those who believe in and will work to further thepromise of public education.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote),Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSPAssistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), North Dakota Association ofSecondary School Principals (Keynote), American Association of SchoolAdministrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association ofSecondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation