While looking up recent DNT coverage of the School District I also read this snippet I’d missed earlier in this editorial:
Improved communications were credited, in part, for a relatively smooth adoption of a teachers’ contract in July, nearly a full year ahead of a deadline set by the state. Also, when Dixon first came to the Duluth district, principals were competing against each other. “Now,” the superintendent said, “we’re at more of a place where we want to survive together at a high level; we’re working together.”
Some reactions:
Who said the principals before Dixon were competing with each other? There wasn’t all that much backbiting going on for the eight years I served on the Board between principals. Toward the end of Supt. Almanza’s tenure a couple of them took public swipes at him but they weren’t engaged in internal fighting. Dixon made sure to promote at least one of Almanza’s critics shortly after his arrival. Was Dixon buying the principal off?
As for the teachers, He gave them a settlement a year early that the District couldn’t afford. Another buy off?
And the Board members who greased the skids for Dixon got a silent $2,000 annual increase too. Of course, they gave it to themselves but I’m sure with Dr. Dixon’s encouragement.
When he was in Faribault this was also one of Dixon’s methods of persuasion. Higher salaries for his cooperative intimates and subordinates. Money talks or, in the case of our school board, silences.
