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Thoughts on the Kamras contract for #RPS. My key takeaway from the debate #OnHere is that the question isn't 2 years vs. 4 years. The question is: is Jason Kamras any good?
#Thread
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Understandable focus on metrics. I get it: at some point you want results, especially for high salaried admin team
https://www.nbc12.com/2019/03/05/rps-releases-list-positions-cut/
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https://www.nbc12.com/2019/03/05/rps-releases-list-positions-cut/
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But the data is unclear at best, especially with time lag in data collection, and in some cases have been used unfairly. There’s a turning the oil tanker argument on Kamras' side - improvement takes time, esp. when cleaning up past messes
3/ https://twitter.com/TaikeinCooper/status/1351621650723315713?s=20
3/ https://twitter.com/TaikeinCooper/status/1351621650723315713?s=20
One thing we CANNOT forget is that problem of urban public schools is less about efficiency and more about a broken society that pushes off care for the poor onto ed institutions ill-prepared to do so. RPS deserves effective leadership, but need to keep that context in mind
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Therefore a superintendent is NOT a purely administrative position. It is NOT "set the metrics; if you hit the targets you get your bonus, and if not you're fired" We can't treat it like a sales job; education is NOT business
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So: RPS Supe is an inherently POLITICAL position. Politics matters. Public perception matters. E.g.: it's hard to argue for more $$ from the city administration when The senses your own board is getting ready to fire you in a year or two
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And that's the thing: I suspect this 2vs4 year thing is a proxy battle over a yes or no vote. Kamras is probably right to turn this discussion into an ultimatum: "either give me a four year or I’m gone" Anything gonna happen in 2 yrs to change "no" minds?
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Kamras still has the stain of DC ed on him, and he’s far from perfect. I see complaint that he’s only done the right thing when the public/watchdogs/parents push RPS to do it. They worry: Give him the chance & he’ll do some terrible things here
8/ https://dianeravitch.net/2018/05/31/business-elite-in-richmond-virginia-hires-michelle-rhee-team-to-run-its-schools/
8/ https://dianeravitch.net/2018/05/31/business-elite-in-richmond-virginia-hires-michelle-rhee-team-to-run-its-schools/
But that hasn't seemed his vibe in RVA; a clear break/learning lesson, whether surface or not, from DC. Hard for me at least see to any ideological fervor on his part; instead, great willingness to engage & change
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Maybe I have it wrong. plenty of folks have more skin in this game than I, so grain of salt & all that. Still, don't have to be RPS parent/teacher to weigh in; every citizen of Richmond has a stake in this argument. The future of RPS is the future of the city
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In the end, I think stability matters more than the metrics at this point. A 4 year contract is prob shorter than that in practice anyway - talks about extension or not will happen in 2-3 years. One thing is clear: a 2 year contract pushes Kamras out the door.
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