Suppose you run a public high school and do it in such a way that almost half the students enrolled get F’s in a course. Suppose parents are worried and turn up in large numbers to express their concern. Do you let them talk and listen to what they have to say? Or do you insist on talking to them first, then channel them into “small groups” so whatever they say is heard by only a few in each case?

In Lebanon, they did the latter on Wednesday night, and as reported in the paper, dozens of parents left frustrated that they didn’t get a chance to air what they felt was wrong.

Sure, it’s tough for an administrator to sit there and let a crowd of people beat up on them with words. But letting people speak openly is still the best way to convince them that they’ve had a chance to speak and be heard.

It took a complaint by a parent for the Lebanon school district to declare an “academic emergency.” What ought to be explained is why the high school did not reach out to parents on its own in reaction to the mass failure in beginning algebra last term.

The Lebanon school system now is embroiled in the attempted recall of two board members. But strangely, these are the very board members who do not believe the school administration is doing a good enough job. (hh)