Target generational, challenges not Kamras

Target generational challenges, not Kamras
CORRESPONDENT OF THE WEEK
Bill Pike. Henrico.

The Richmond Crusade For Voters recommended that Jason Kamras, superintendent of Richmond Public Schools, be fired (“Richmond Crusade for Voters calls for removal of Superintendent Jason Kamras,” Feb. 20).

I’m not surprised. Someone must take the blame when a school system encounters longstanding challenges that block success.

As a retired public school educator, I served five superintendents. Their personalities and leadership styles were like night and day. None had immunity from challenging situations and second-guessing.
If we think the superintendents from public school systems in Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover and Henrico counties don’t have sleepless nights, and possibly a high intake of antacids — we are mistaken.

Managing a public school system is tough work. The easy Mayberry days of public schools are dead.

When school superintendents are criticized, rarely are fingers of blame pointed back to our inability to solve vicious generational challenges related to mental/physical health, housing, nutrition, unemployment, safety, justice and equity.

We have warehouses full of data about student performance and behavior. How much of our failings in student performance and behavior can be linked to these unending generational cycles?

Recently, a friend recommended I watch a scene from “Ted Lasso.” The scene focused on this quote: “Be curious, not judgmental.”

Instead of spending our time judging Kamras, what might we learn if we were more curious to understand what RPS students, parents and teachers need to reach sustainable success?

For example: Is the Richmond School Board offering the correct support? Has the Richmond Crusade for Voters spent a day in a school? How are successes within the school system communicated? When was the last time School Board office personnel interviewed critical support staff in schools?

Sure, fire Superintendent Kamras.

That dismissal won’t solve the school system’s challenges.

These longstanding, malignant issues will eagerly greet a new superintendent.

Author’s note: On Sunday, March 3, 2024, the Richmond Times-Dispatch announced the return of their “Correspondent of the Week” in the Commentary section of the newspaper. I was honored to have my Letter to the Editor chosen as the “Correspondent of the Week” in the March 3rd edition of the paper.