Is It A Wonder Our Schools Are Screwed Up?

Priorities.

It seems like such a simple concept. You've got to have your priorities in life straight. God only know how much time I spend in trying to make sure that mine are in order. When I read stories like this one about a certain administrator who spent $10,000 on new furniture as the school district was facing a $32 million deficit.

Granted, $10K in the face of a $32 million shortfall is bordering on insignificant. But that's still $10K that couldn't be spent on education. That's still $10K that couldn't be spent on providing more benefits or opportunities for the students.

Now I also work in a furniture store at the moment. If we take the spokesperson at face value that the administrator needed new furniture, she probably could have made more cost effective choices. $6500 for a desk and credenza tells me that the choices were made for appearance’s sake, not for basic functionality.

Our school administrators do not need ostentatious furniture. It's not as if they have to project a certain appearance to seal a deal. They have to have basic function so that they can fulfill their ultimate job: providing a quality education for our kids.

Some administrators have lost perspective on why they were hired. And it reflects in their setting of priorities.

There is no justification for a school administrator to have ordered $10K worth of furniture when the same function could have been had for a fraction of the cost.

It's time for our educators to get back to educating and to quit focusing on appearances.

Priorities.