Nepotism in Public Schools

A. Nonymous must be from Phil Campbell

My first question would be, are the employees qualified? You did not say that they are unfit for their positions. If they are doing their job and doing it well, why should it matter who they are related to? As long as they aren't receiving any special perks and they got the job fairly, I don't have a problem with it.

I don't doubt that they are qualified. I do find it ironic that two family members were found to be the most qualified from a pool of numerous candidates for their respective positions.

Please understand, I don't know if anything improper happened in the hiring process or not. Who makes the final hiring decision, the principal, the superintendent, who? It could be that someone was hired because of their family connections. Or, the candidate may have been desireable because they are unlikely to move away after a few years because of family in the area. I don't know if those job candidates were the most qualified or not but, if it were me I certainly wouldn't want to passed over for a job because someone I am related to already works for the system.

quote:

Originally posted by A. Nonymous:
I don't doubt that they are qualified. I do find it ironic that two family members were found to be the most qualified from a pool of numerous candidates for their respective positions.

Are you sure the pool was that large? Yes, there's nepotism, but you also have some individuals who will take a salary cut in order to save gasoline, time, etc., and to be able to work near their children (school nurses, for instance) and other family members.

In the end, unless the unsuccessful candidate initiates legal action, there's not too much that can be done. The current junior college situation being an exception to the rule and a prime example of what's wrong in Alabama politics.

At one time, the school system in Tennessee in which I taught had the superintendent's wife as principal of the largest high school in the county...and their son as football coach and History teacher at the same school. When I retired, the principal at the other county high school had his mom as the GED instructor in his school. The wife of the current Director of Schools in the same county teaches in the county's largest high school. Unethical? Yes. The reason being that someone should NEVER be in a position of authority over an immediate family member due to the very real likelihood of favoritism, or the appearance of. Uncommon? No,

I guess because UNA has a degree in education, our area is lousy with 'qualified' potential teachers. Everyone has jumped through the same hoops and you can hardly swing a dead cat without hitting someone who is certified to teach. When they post a job opening, they've usually already decided who will fill it. Then the the other 20 dupes come in and are interviewed and the preselected person is called. Who knows how that person was selected? Sometimes I guess it is nepotism. But except for actual teaching experience, everyone who graduates with an education degree and gets certified is considered by the state to be equally qualified since they've met the requirements.

I don't know what can be done about it, but it can be very frustrating sometimes.

I do agree that people should not be in authority over relatives. I had husband/wife teachers at my high school and if one spouse ever moved to administration, the other had to teach elsewhere. Is that not the case in all local school systems?

In Lawrence County, Tennessee, there is a trend toward hiring retired Alabama teachers. The retirees come with their own insurance and save the Tennessee system money. I noticed that they are looking for a principal at Lawrence County High school and two of the three or four applicants were from Alabama, one of them a retiree. Another was the current assistant principal. I want to remember to pay attention to who gets hired.

So much stuff goes on and a lot of people get treated unfairly, but I don't know how to fix it. I guess it's just life.

Won't say where I live, but nepotism is a way of life here. Our Superintendent and Board of Education members are not elected to their positions. If a Board member resigns or leaves, they just pick a friend or relative to take the vacant spot. Same goes for the Superintendent.
Nepotism and clicks are a way of life here and you can't get anybody to try to change it. You might step on a 'toe' that could get you in hot water with lots of folks and cause your children in school to bear the brunt of your actions.

I believe you and I are talking about the same school system.

In the school system I think you are talking aboout... The high school counselor had been there for many years before her husband was appointed principal. He had been a coach for many years. She is a wonderful counselor and her husband is a great principal. She did not get her job due to his position and he did not h=gethis due to hers. They just ended up at the same school after years in the system. Please get your facts straight before bashing people.

I'm not bashing the individuals, just the system. Does the guidance counselor report to the principal? If so, that is a severe conflict of interest.

Maybe this website will help.

http://www.aele.org/law/2007FPJUL/2007-07MLJ201.pd

I know exactly which school system you are speaking of the whole systems is full of husband/wife employment starting at the top.

quote:

Originally posted by A. Nonymous:
I'm not bashing the individuals, just the system. Does the guidance counselor report to the principal? If so, that is a severe conflict of interest.

As a former administrator, where's the 'severe conflict of interest'? Guidance counselors rarely, if ever these days, deal with disciplinary issues.