Author: Robert
Looking Forward
Ruth and I discuss the current health situation on a daily basis. We, like I expect most, are not happy with all the orders. We follow them and accept that we’re all in this together. We’re washing, masking and social distancing as required. During our time in Florida everything available to us ,except golf, was …
The Rest of the Story
We held a dedication for the track on Sunday May 28, 2005. Shirley Herrick and Florence McNett attended. It was the first, and perhaps the only, time they met. Our words of gratitude were directed at the two. About three hundred people attended. Many were alumni who wished to know how to get involved. Alumni …
The Foundation
The $400,000 provided the foundation for our success. The two major gifts opened the way for others. I had two boards to work with, and luckily for me, everyone was on the same page. Final decisions regarding the scope of the project were left to the two boards which meant we’d have shared meetings to …
The Request
I’d been to the country club to play golf and for business meetings, but none as important as this. Mr. Herrick had a reputation for his generosity as well as his straightforwardness. This turned out to be our only face to face encounter. Gene Cooley was the superintendent in Tecumseh when I arrived in Britton. …
The Phone Call
By 2003 I was well into my superintendency in Britton-Macon. It was the right place at the right time for me. When I was hired twelve years prior, the Board wanted me to move into the district within the first year. That move never took place. The Board said my oldest son, David, could continue …
Balls and Books
My second year in Britton, Britton’s MEAP (Michigan Education Assessment Program) scores ranked highest in the county in eight of the nine reported areas. The scores covered a multitude of grades in a variety of subjects. Reporters wanted to know our secret. How had I led such a change in such a short amount of …
Friday Night
I believe the biggest reason school districts avoid consolidation is Friday night. Community members, young and old, enjoy going to school for “the game”. While we wish to win, routing for the home team is most important. It’s a point of pride. When I arrived in Britton not a week went by without someone speaking …
The Importance of History
Each day we are given opportunities to interact with people. We take advantage or we don’t. Seemingly unrelated acts often pay big dividends. When I arrived in Britton in November of 1991 I spent a lot of time reading hundreds of pieces of mail that the interim superintendent saved for me. I perused the trivial …
IMO
This cartoon appeared in the paper several weeks ago. The message is directed at the global pandemic and its ramifications for us all. It’s intent is clear, why can’t we work together? Since its publication we’ve seen national attention brought to the movement, Black Lives Matter. Some have countered with All Lives Matter or …