ArchivesLet's apply Shawn McCollough's creed of “High Expectations, Accountability and No Excuses” to his own image, behavior, personality, performance and the community's perception of him. Let's keep in mind that Shawn McCollough is the type of leader who loves to toot his own horn.
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Mr. McCollough, Nogales as a community of parents, students, educators, business owners, families, workers, tax payers, homemakers, retired citizens, etc. have 'high expectations' of a superintendent to whom we pay a salary of $120,000 plus benefits and also of his 'Leadership Team'. We EXPECT you to perform to your fullest capacity, not as Dr. Hunter Nash stated, not finding a better choice of words: “people are scared to death of how hard you work", but to be the best you can be leaving aside your usual political smoke curtain.
We EXPECT you to be, not Mr. Personality, not an arrogant macho, but a tactful person who can be talked to, agreed upon with, compromised with, and who will have an open door, an open mind and an open heart.
Yes, our students showed improvement on the AIMS tests and yes, you gave credit to every single staff member of NUSD, but as written by Manuel Coppola, Editor of Nogales International: You are the general sent out to lead the troops. Nogales as a community has 'high expectations' of the general, the captains, sergeants and every single soldier in the battle field.
We EXPECT 'accountability' from our School Board and community towards your behavior and performance. You too will be held accountable for your actions and the overall outcome of your tenure as our school district's leader, just as you hold your staff members accountable. Our school board might have forgotten about the grievance filed by the Professional Educators of Nogales 'PEN' against you, but WE haven't. We EXPECT the school board to hold you ACCOUNTABLE for that and future behavior against the groups that represent ALL EDUCATORS and ALL STAFF of Nogales. The Nogales community will hold our Governing School Board accountable, also, - but that's the topic of another letter to the editor - .
An old adage states: “For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again”. - For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Fortunately, you are at a position where scrutiny and criticism are inevitable and expected. You have set the bar at a high level – Nogales EXPECTS YOU to be measured by your own bar.
There are 'no excuses', Shawn. The community of Nogales will be watching you in the next 3 years. We EXPECT good results, we EXPECT awesome results. We will hold you accountable... and will accept NO EXCUSES.
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Concerned Parent wrote on Aug 25, 2009 4:55 PM:
This aint no pageant wrote on Aug 15, 2009 3:50 AM:
nogalesinternational.com/articles/2009/07/24/opinion/editorial/doc4a69d8e6c3f79290357797.txt
-copy and paste to your browser address field- "
Luis Villa wrote on Aug 12, 2009 6:04 PM:
Yes it is. And yes I remember what it is like working with dictator types. But if you remember correctly there are procedures in place where you can petition your elected leaders to listen to your complaints. It sounds like the procedures were started, but where is the follow-up? If as it seems to you, that he is such an ogre, why not follow up to its ultimate end, a recall election. If you state your case and the voters agree with you, then you will be successful. But if not, then you will have some very tough choices to make.
If you remember, we had a dictator/ogre in place that the majority of the governing board supported, we could not get any satisfaction via the governing board. The one difference I see now is that people appear to be intimidated and fear having anybody know who is expressing their opinion and exercising their first amendment rights, where you have the Freedom of Speech, and right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. If you remember correctly, nobody that supported our cause back in 1991 hid our names and used the veil of anonymity to shield our identity. Yes, we were intimidated, but did not yield, yes, we were threatened by one of the governing board members, through CERTIFIED letters no less! But did we yield? No, did we hide our names? No. A governing board member did challenge me personally to a public debate, when I accepted-I made it known to the governing board member that he could select the both the language and venue for the debate. I also made it known that I needed assurance from the majority of the governing board that I would not be dismissed for “unprofessional” conduct if I debated him…. I did not fall into his trap, needless to say, we never debated.
If people did read my opinion piece then they read all of it. And I quote myself.
“The solution to perceived problems with the school district is very simple. Recall the School Board, if what you imply is true, it would be no problem gathering the signatures required, and to have your opinion heard by one and all”
I wish “you” luck in your endeavors—If you feel so strongly about this, then follow through to the bitter end. Be prepared for attacks from the other side, be prepared for threats…. NO action can legally be taken against anybody for expressing their views on anything or petitioning their government to right what you perceive is a wrong.
Just don’t hide through the false veil of anonymity.
In closing, "Lincoln Parent" I quote your letter... " Who do you go to with your complaints if not the school board who are pro-McCollough?-- you take your complaints to their BOSSES--- The voters of the district. "
Concerned Parent wrote on Aug 8, 2009 11:09 AM:
Old Timer wrote on Aug 8, 2009 10:42 AM:
If it is, you too worked with ogre-like, dictator-type leaders. You know how it is. Please don't give us that. Have you forgotten how it was? Think about it before you put your keyboard to work. "
Lincoln Parent wrote on Aug 8, 2009 9:14 AM:
Luis Villa wrote on Aug 6, 2009 10:22 PM:
I quote “There are 'no excuses', Shawn. The community of Nogales will be watching you in the next 3 years. We EXPECT good results, we EXPECT awesome results. We will hold you accountable... and will accept NO EXCUSES. “ That is a threat, big brother is watching! But who is big brother? “concerned” something or other….
The solution to perceived problems with the school district is very simple. Recall the School Board, if what you imply is true, it would be no problem gathering the signatures required, and to have your opinion heard by one and all.
The Nogales International in my opinion has degenerated into another Nogales Herald…. "
Community Member wrote on Aug 2, 2009 8:23 AM:
Shawn McCollough knows what Concerned Parent is talking about... that's what is important and the whole point! "
to No Guts wrote on Aug 2, 2009 5:22 AM:
Concerned Parent wrote on Aug 1, 2009 5:13 PM:
Er... read the letter again. It answers your questions.
I did not do a comparison, Manny Coppola did. I don't want to be part of the boeard members, I don't know what that is. I will 'alos' support McCollough by scrutinizing his actions and performance.
Are you a parent yourself? I hope YOU too get your act together and parent your children! You might want to attend a writing course so you can help them in school, 'alos'. "
No guts wrote on Aug 1, 2009 12:49 PM:
Parents nowadays (most) put all responsibility on how their student turn out on teachers, staff, and board members. Where did you forget to be a parent?
Stop the threats and excuses, you want this guy to work, make him work, but alos support him! All Privates in he military do the hard work, Generals should know how to set the standards, but they are not perfect.
get it together parents, and start doing what you're supposed to be doing... parenting your children!!! "