Thursday, July 02, 2009

Time Belies Berman's "Outrage."

A thought experiment: How many superintendents can you think of who would wait a full year to change a district policy they felt very strongly about; a good change; one that had virtually no political downside; and cost their district nothing?

The answer for me is pretty close to zero, and I'm only fudging because there are probably a few clunkers in the crowd. I believe most would simply touch base with their board, and announce a move toward implementing the change through the district's ongoing professional development program. Done.

I just can't figure this one out.

Berman knew of PRP football coach Jason Stinson's tactics last August and claimed to be "outraged" at the time.

If Berman was truly outraged by Stinson's ideas on sportsmanship and character-building and wanted to assure that Stinson's errors were not replicated elsewhere in the district, why did it take so long for him to do something about it?

This from C-J:

New policy: Coaches must attend sportsmanship seminar

All Jefferson County Public Schools head coaches and assistant coaches for fall sports will be required this month to attend an hour-long seminar focusing on sportsmanship and character.

The requirement is the result of the JCPS investigation into last year's death of Pleasure Ridge Park High School football player Max Gilpin.

JCPS Superintendent Sheldon Berman said Wednesday that PRP coaches did not violate any district or Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules during the Aug. 20 practice that saw Gilpin collapse. But Berman said he was "outraged" to learn that head coach Jason Stinson told his players during conditioning drills that day that "running would end when someone quit the team."

"I am taking action to ensure that this kind of culture is not tolerated by JCPS," Berman said...

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