'Simplistic and glossed-over take on the situation with Dr. Dallemand'

Not to double-up on Tracy McCray criticism, but here's a note from a reader -- respectfully submitted regarding a Tracy column on cutting the superintendent some slack:

Dear Ms. McCray,

I read your column of 12 October with great interest, as I fully agree that being the best version of oneself is a smart and worthwhile way to conduct one’s life.

However, as I read, I was disappointed at your simplistic and glossed-over take on the situation with Dr. Dallemand, the School Board, and achievement gaps. Surely as a parent you have every right to use any available means to motivate, praise, and encourage your child. Whether it’s tough love, gentle nudges, or the most conventional of rewards…it’s up to you.

When it comes to the children of School District #535, though, it’s a little more difficult and certainly more complex than you’d have the citizens of Rochester believe. It’s not as simple as walking more and eating less chocolate, it’s about setting standards and taking into account the realities of life in schools; it’s about hearing the concerns of your teachers and helping them, listening more and talking less, as you’d mentioned in a previous column. Unfortunately, both you and Dr. Dallemand favor the repetition of placating platitudes over any substantive comment.

The reason that many—if not most people—have formed opinions (whether for or against) about Dr. Dallemand and his platform is that they took the time to research, question, and figure out what it was that he was actually advocating. Your naive, Pollyanna-ish “wait and see, just be glad” approach is all well and good, but it’s also somewhat disingenuous. Are there some people who have tried to frame this as a racial issue? Of course, but being at odds with Dr. Dallemand’s ideas is not a racial issue--rather it is a debate on policy and agenda. And I’m not suggesting he is not a good man, I’m suggesting that his plan—and how he is choosing to implement it—is not the best one for our schools. This isn't about race, it's about competence--the bigger picture of teaching, learning, and preparing for the future--and doing right by Rochester's children. Those of us who have concerns about Dr. Dallemand are upset by the “talk to the hand” treatment he gives teachers and para-professionals who are in the trenches and working with students all day. No one expects perfection, but teachers and students have a right to be heard and that does not happen with this Administration. Gossip and rumors aside, he has not always conducted his business with the teachers, students, or School Board in the most forthright manner. His admissions of missteps and misjudgments are fine, but they do not really address the bigger problems and concerns, let alone the blatant disrespect often shown to district staff.

I hope everyone does their due diligence on this subject, especially those parents with children still in school. I think, however, that your column does a disservice to the very real issues and concerns at stake here. You seem to be saying that none of what any of us have heard, read, or experienced is true or factual—that those of us in opposition to Dr. Dallemand are simply conducting a subversive anti-Romain campaign or that what we've been put through isn't relevant. Unfortunately, there are many of us with more first hand experience with the man and his ideas than you, and your blatant disregard of that, quite frankly, is a little galling.

Thank you for your time,
 
Glenn Amundsen
Rochester, Mn 55904

Comments

[junior]

As someone who votes for school members I have no idea what to look for in new members because I have no idea what the problems with Dallemand are. You cannot hope to correct problems if they are not stated.

[The Paper Tyger]

I think the commenter has missed the point of the letter. The letter was written, if you read it critically, to point out that Ms. McCray has a rather rose-colored vision when it comes to Dr. Dallemand. The letter writer likely doesn't wish to list specific grievances due to privacy and legal issues. And can you blame them? Whistle-blower laws aside, some unfortunate things can happen when people share their stories of this nature.

With your broad experiences, surely one would assume you could appreciate and understand this and not condone--blindly at that--mismanagement and poor administration.

[junior]

As someone with many years in private business with experience in many different companies I have yet to see a Dallemand critic get real with their management complaints. The complaints against Dallemand are so very vague and non-specific. There are countless difficult employers in successful private businesses here in Rochester. Are they always nice? No. Do they always listen to their employees complaints and concerns? No. Do they give their employees high fives every time the employee does something good? No.

One of these "critics" of Dallemand needs to take one for the team and EXPLAIN exactly to the public what the issues between the staff and Dallemand are. This letter does not do that.