Calm is Needed

By Patricia A. Booker

Everyday it seems as if Radnor is in the news for some new crisis. Our district is at a cross-road and we need to create a plan to proactively (as much as possible) deal with the serious issues before us.

Hiring people for the critical positions in the Administration and Staff just to fill the spot would be adding insult to injury. Parents with children as RES want to know that the hiring of our new Principal is done as a top priority and in this current environment we know that it is not the case. And the same is true for the high school parents especially in light of the current problems.

I would like to see the school board take a step back and develop a plan for how we will proceed. We need to triage the issues at hand and if possible move some of the issues to the back burner. For example, at RES we could ask Mr. Shupe to stay on for a year. This would not only ensure stability at RES for the children and the staff but would also reduce the burden of a search and orientation for a new principal. It is a win-win and I understand that Mr. Shupe has indicated he would consider such a plan.

I fear that the environment created with Dr. Cooper's departure will make it more difficult to attract a highly qualified Superintendent. I suggest this board find an interim, like our past interim George Slick, who can come in and help us restore calm. This would help us resolve some of the problems, rebuild some trust and improve the environment so that the next Super is given a fighting chance to succeed.

Radnor parents are concerned and all taxpayers should be. We want Radnor in the newspaper because of our successes not because of scandal. Scandal hurts our reputation, our teachers and staff and our children.