During the Dec. 13 Greenwood School Board meeting, Superintendent Margie Pulley proved that she has something in common with Verizon: They both have a wonderful “friends and family” plan.
If you’re not in the “clique,” hard work, longevity and experience mean absolutely nothing relative to promotions or advancement. Conversely, if you happen to be in the “friends and family” circle, your opportunities are limitless.
What makes the latest incident more disturbing than most is that even the “beneficiary” stands to suffer more harm than good, and, based on the commentary over the local airwaves, there is belief by some that it’s all justified because “others have done it and nothing was said then.”
I have two fundamental issues with the appointment of the superintendent’s son as interim principal of the alternative school and the belief of those who support it on the basis of what others have done in the past: No matter how it is disguised, nepotism is wrong when it comes to our public institutions; and, the fact that others have done wrong in the past does not make wrong right.
There is no question that Kenneth Pulley, the superintendent’s son, has shattered every “ceiling” he has encountered — from high school to university. He has established himself as a scholar and admirably chosen to follow in the footsteps of his parents — educators who have touched hundreds of lives in this community. We are all proud of him and join his parents in celebrating his accomplishments.
The question surrounds the appearance of impropriety that comes with his selection to serve as interim principal of the alternative school. Simply, it is a “slap in the face” to those aspiring administrators in the school system with the credentials and years of experience to merit career advancement.
In addition to a concern for veteran educators, what drives me is the disservice this appointment does to her son. The last thing that a capable, competent professional needs is a “land of make-believe” as a professional environment.
Nowhere else will he enjoy the privilege of moving not only from district to district, but from teacher to principal at whim (and at a salary of more than $35,000 for six months, a salary higher than what beginning teachers make in the district in a year). Nowhere else will he have less concern for any evaluation of his performance. Despite their best efforts and intentions, any administrator who evaluates him will do so understanding the potential impact on his or her own evaluation.
Is there doubt in anyone’s mind that if Kenneth Pulley’s aunt, Jean Hall, had been re-elected as superintendent of the Leflore County School District, he would still be employed in that district? How can Kenneth Pulley develop an appreciation for the doors that his intellect can open if the doors are removed from the hinges prior to his arrival?
No one can deny a mother’s right to nurture her child — personally or professionally. What can be denied is the appropriateness of forsaking the public trust for personal and familial gain. If the entity Dr. Pulley headed was a private one, there would be no problem. That is not the case. As the superintendent of a school district, her responsibility includes not only her own son but the remainder of the personnel in the district and the public whose taxes employ her. Leadership 101 demands, “Thou shalt not lose the confidence of the people whom you lead.” With her latest maneuverings, that is exactly what Dr. Pulley has done.
That her son’s appointment is as the administrator at the alternative school, a challenging environment even for veteran teachers and administrators, is also questionable. Even medical students require a residency; it is understood that credentials alone are not enough. Experience counts. Students who are difficult for educators to reach in the traditional school settings will be an even greater challenged grouped together in an alternative setting.
What about the students and the parents impacted by this appointment? Is the message one of commitment to their education (despite the challenges caused by their behavior) or commitment to the idea that their academic supervision is not important enough to be assigned to someone with the required experience?
Was Kenneth Pulley’s appointment legal? Yes. It was also legal at one point in our history for blacks to be relegated to the back of the bus and to the balcony of movie theaters.
I have no doubt that Mr. Pulley will be among our community’s future leaders in education. Ultimately, however, that will depend on decisions that are made by the current leaders in the district.
Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams and City Council President Ronnie Stevenson now have an opportunity — an obligation — to make a profound impact with the next school board appointments. Though flooded with letters and phone calls to the contrary, let’s hope that the focus during their deliberations is not to reinstate the past but to select new board members who will embrace fairness and genuine concern for the children.
• Troy D. Brown Sr. is a contractor with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
