Here's a look at this week's print column, which takes a look at a recurring topic, the perception that we focus on the negative news, especially when it comes to our schools. Offer a comment if you disagree.
The timing probably could have been better.
In the newspaper business, that’s almost always the case.
I’m sure Linda Cook probably finds the situation more than just a little ironic.Her name recently appeared in the newspaper.
It was affixed to a letter to the editor with a very familiar lament.Cook took up the notion that the good things occurring in our schools often go unreported in the newspaper.
She makes a very good point. It is one I do battle with every day.By now you might be wondering who Linda Cook is. That’s simple. She’s the president of an education association. In other words, a teachers’ union. That tells part of the story, but not all of it.
I get calls almost every day from teachers and administrators urging that we show schools in a positive light, that kids are getting a quality education despite what some of the headlines might lead you to believe, and that those who work in the district, teachers, staff and administrators, spend their lives dedicated to our children.
They are all valid points, and ones I believe are in fact well represented in the newspaper, if not necessarily on the front page.Cook made all of those points. And, of course, she is right.
Very often, the good things happening in local schools don’t make headlines. There is a valid reason for that. That is by definition not “news.” That is the routine. That is what is supposed to happen.Yes, it sounds harsh. But it is true. That does not mean that the newspaper ignores positive stories emanating from our schools. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Day in and day out, we profile kids and their teachers who are accomplishing great things.
There is, of course, something else at play here.You might also be wondering just which school district it is where Cook leads the teachers’ union.That would be the Penn-Delco School District.In case you haven’t noticed, Penn-Delco has been in the newspaper recently. Just a few weeks ago we had a front-page story on kids taking part in high school bands that expounded at length about this huge student activity at Sun Valley High School. But I doubt that’s what Cook was talking about.No, much of the ruling body at Penn-Delco lies in smoldering ruins today.In the last 14 months, no less than eight school board members have resigned their seats.Former school board president Keith Crego also bailed when the whispers that surrounded him for months finally exploded. Another board member with whom he was having a relationship filed a protection from abuse order against him. He did likewise against her. Eventually he was convinced to give up his seat.But he — and the school district — was nowhere close to being out of the headlines. Soon word filtered down that Crego was at the center of an investigation by the county District Attorney’s office looking into the district’s business dealings with Quickstart Preschools, the firm that Crego brought in to handle preschooling and day care in the district.Then the reeling district was rocked by a true blockbuster.
Respected Superintendent Leslye Abrutyn was stepping down. No reason was given, although there was no shortage of whispers.The district’s solicitor has now drawn the wrath of taxpayers, who are asking the school board to add him to the list of former district officials.The hope was that the county would be able to wrap up its investigation and announce the results — and possible charges — of the probe before school started up again for the fall. That’s obviously not going to happen. Instead, the conflagration no doubt will be re-lit just as students and staff are settling into their routine.In the meantime, as Cook pointed out, the district will continue to strive to overcome the negative stories.
But not the negative headlines.
In the same edition as her letter appeared, a new story broke concerning the troubled Penn-Delco Education and Cultural Foundation. Much like the school board, the foundation also is seeing an exodus of board members, as questions are posed concerning a $100,000 state grant. Foundation board members Jeff Pilla, an Aston commissioner, Joe Possenti Jr., Aston Republican Party chairman, and state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, all left their posts.The next day they were joined by still another board member, Elaine Frieberg.
Ironically, I had a phone conversation with Cook about the education foundation just about a week earlier. We had an incorrect reference in the paper. Yes, we do that from time to time. In a story about the foundation, we actually referred to the education association. Cook asked that we correct the information. We did. We also ran her letter. We know there are positive stories in Penn-Delco. We will continue to seek them out.But we will not ignore the negative stories either. There are more to come.
Eventually, the D.A. is going to weigh in on what has been going on in Penn-Delco. It’s likely not going to be pretty.
Philip E. Heron is editor of the Daily Times. Call him at (610) 622-8818. E-mail him at editor@delcotimes.com. To visit his daily blog, the Heron’s Nest, go to www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/philh/blog.html.
The timing probably could have been better.
In the newspaper business, that’s almost always the case.
I’m sure Linda Cook probably finds the situation more than just a little ironic.Her name recently appeared in the newspaper.
It was affixed to a letter to the editor with a very familiar lament.Cook took up the notion that the good things occurring in our schools often go unreported in the newspaper.
She makes a very good point. It is one I do battle with every day.By now you might be wondering who Linda Cook is. That’s simple. She’s the president of an education association. In other words, a teachers’ union. That tells part of the story, but not all of it.
I get calls almost every day from teachers and administrators urging that we show schools in a positive light, that kids are getting a quality education despite what some of the headlines might lead you to believe, and that those who work in the district, teachers, staff and administrators, spend their lives dedicated to our children.
They are all valid points, and ones I believe are in fact well represented in the newspaper, if not necessarily on the front page.Cook made all of those points. And, of course, she is right.
Very often, the good things happening in local schools don’t make headlines. There is a valid reason for that. That is by definition not “news.” That is the routine. That is what is supposed to happen.Yes, it sounds harsh. But it is true. That does not mean that the newspaper ignores positive stories emanating from our schools. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Day in and day out, we profile kids and their teachers who are accomplishing great things.
There is, of course, something else at play here.You might also be wondering just which school district it is where Cook leads the teachers’ union.That would be the Penn-Delco School District.In case you haven’t noticed, Penn-Delco has been in the newspaper recently. Just a few weeks ago we had a front-page story on kids taking part in high school bands that expounded at length about this huge student activity at Sun Valley High School. But I doubt that’s what Cook was talking about.No, much of the ruling body at Penn-Delco lies in smoldering ruins today.In the last 14 months, no less than eight school board members have resigned their seats.Former school board president Keith Crego also bailed when the whispers that surrounded him for months finally exploded. Another board member with whom he was having a relationship filed a protection from abuse order against him. He did likewise against her. Eventually he was convinced to give up his seat.But he — and the school district — was nowhere close to being out of the headlines. Soon word filtered down that Crego was at the center of an investigation by the county District Attorney’s office looking into the district’s business dealings with Quickstart Preschools, the firm that Crego brought in to handle preschooling and day care in the district.Then the reeling district was rocked by a true blockbuster.
Respected Superintendent Leslye Abrutyn was stepping down. No reason was given, although there was no shortage of whispers.The district’s solicitor has now drawn the wrath of taxpayers, who are asking the school board to add him to the list of former district officials.The hope was that the county would be able to wrap up its investigation and announce the results — and possible charges — of the probe before school started up again for the fall. That’s obviously not going to happen. Instead, the conflagration no doubt will be re-lit just as students and staff are settling into their routine.In the meantime, as Cook pointed out, the district will continue to strive to overcome the negative stories.
But not the negative headlines.
In the same edition as her letter appeared, a new story broke concerning the troubled Penn-Delco Education and Cultural Foundation. Much like the school board, the foundation also is seeing an exodus of board members, as questions are posed concerning a $100,000 state grant. Foundation board members Jeff Pilla, an Aston commissioner, Joe Possenti Jr., Aston Republican Party chairman, and state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, all left their posts.The next day they were joined by still another board member, Elaine Frieberg.
Ironically, I had a phone conversation with Cook about the education foundation just about a week earlier. We had an incorrect reference in the paper. Yes, we do that from time to time. In a story about the foundation, we actually referred to the education association. Cook asked that we correct the information. We did. We also ran her letter. We know there are positive stories in Penn-Delco. We will continue to seek them out.But we will not ignore the negative stories either. There are more to come.
Eventually, the D.A. is going to weigh in on what has been going on in Penn-Delco. It’s likely not going to be pretty.
Philip E. Heron is editor of the Daily Times. Call him at (610) 622-8818. E-mail him at editor@delcotimes.com. To visit his daily blog, the Heron’s Nest, go to www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/philh/blog.html.
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