10 bad things I believe about you

After reading the Royal Education Association's guest editorial last week, I started to wonder if I could list 10 bad things or 10 wrong things in anyone I've known through my 69 years.

I couldn't.

So I called some people I know and asked them if they could list 10 of any of those things in people they know. No one could.

I don't doubt 71 percent of the teachers are in agreement on the 10 points, but I wonder how they arrived at those 10. The power of suggestion is, well, very powerful. And surveys are suggestive.

It's doubtful the 71 percent of teachers on whose behalf the editorial was written independently came up with those 10 points.

If the teachers had been asked to come up with their own lists of 10 bad things, it's likely no two lists would have been the same. And some teachers likely would have struggled to list 10.

It might as well have been a list of 11 or more. Once it got past three, I started to sense overkill. I find it difficult to believe anyone can be this bad.

I read all 10 points, and the 10th one really got my attention.

It was: "In many cases, the superintendent micromanages building administrators which does not leave them the flexibility or ability to make decisions in a timely or effective manner."

Wow. Many cases, not a few, not occasionally.

I have to wonder how many hours or days of teaching are missed because of this. And I have to wonder what teachers do with the students while they wait for their answers to filter down from the superintendent.

Some times the superintendent is out of district. How does the teacher proceed when the answer to the teacher's question is delayed a day or more?

For every one of the 71 percent of teachers to agree to No. 10, they all would have had to witness this micromanagement. That's not likely.

And I have a tough time imagining the superintendent hovering over Theresa Eilers or badgering Dave Jaderlund.

Since 2010, I've spoken with principals about school events, educational programs, local and state test scores and other matters. I haven't had to wait for the superintendent's answer.

I've talked with coaches about all manner of things. They've answered me without help from the superintendent. Same with individual teachers. They've never had to check with the superintendent or a principal.

And I have conversed with business manager David Andra and federal programs director Carolyn Bunche. Sometimes behind closed doors, where the superintendent couldn't hear or see us.

I really have my doubts about No. 10.

But if the superintendent is capable of micromanaging an entire school district, isn't the REA saying she's hands-on and really good?