Executive Viewpoint

Adequacy and Relationships

Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

The Joint Education Committee has completed its study and recommendations for adequacy for the upcoming biennium. However, the recommendations are not what I would call “joint.” The House and Senate Committee have developed different recommendations that the 94th General Assembly will have to review and decide on funding and expectations of that funding for our public school districts. It is always wonderful when all parties can see eye to eye on these matters, but it just simply is not that way nowadays. Although resolutions may be developed down the road, there are currently more questions than answers on what funds will be available going into the 2023-2024 school year. The positive aspect is that the legislature seems willing to invest more in public education and address salaries for certified and classified employees.

The election season of 2022 is quickly coming to an end, and I am so happy to get this behind us. This has been one of the most polarizing election seasons I can remember. There are the normal highly contested races across the state, but these now include school board elections. Hopefully, this will not become the norm, but is simply the result of the census causing redistricting and coming out of an oddly divisive pandemic. There have been plenty of opportunities for people with malicious intent to attack our public schools for health policies, book policies, and test scores based on pandemic learning. School personnel should be commended for the work done over these last few years in keeping schools open, and students focused on learning as much as possible. There are better days ahead because we are better prepared, and I think parents overall have a greater understanding of why students need to be in school and what students are learning each day.

I know the natural reaction to being attacked is to find some form of retribution. We are better than that. We have had years of practice dealing with the unpleasant and angry. This is when administrators must listen more and try to mend fences and build positive relationships. In any environment, conflict can only last so long, and rarely is there ever a true winner. Just look at Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago. Ivan was invincible, well-trained, and supported by the most advanced biochemistry available in the USSR. Rocky was well-trained and not afraid of a fight. Rocky won, but what did they both lose? Tune into Rocky V and the Creed series to find out. The bottom line is we have to be wary of those trying to attack us as leaders and public education in general. We must be measured and thoughtful in our responses and ensure that we are not taking our focus off of the students. You only have so much bandwidth; we must use this for good work and building positive relationships.

Over the next several months, we must focus on building strong positive relationships with our current and potential newly elected government officials. Regardless of politics or philosophies, we must work hard to find common ground with our local and state leaders. The voters have elected these folks, and they have tremendous authority and responsibility, so we must work to support them so, in turn, they can help us. Of course, not all areas will be agreed upon, but we must strive to stay in the conversation. Tactics of the past and hostile attacks will not work and can only ensure a divisive environment between schools and elected officials. We are always up for a fight but must be mindful of the players and the cost.

I hope you have an excellent November, and know that we at AAEA are thankful for you and what you do every day for the students in Arkansas. We are here to support you.