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Opinion editorials Handling of Pit Appeal Calls for a Time-Out |
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opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Finding 'Happy Place' Not So Easy at APS
So, what's up at APS? Frayed nerves? Overwhelming budget pressure?
First, Associate Superintendent Ruby Ethridge fires off an e-mail accusing Superintendent Winston Brooks of yelling at her, belittling her and creating a "hostile work environment." So Brooks, who denies the accusation, fired back an e-mail that put her on paid leave, banished her from APS property, kicked her off the district leadership team — before finally deciding to assign her to troubled Rio Grande High School as an assistant principal.
Whatever the intention, the final disciplinary action can be seen as Brooks, who has vowed to "fix" Rio, instead using it as a dumping ground for someone he says he can no longer trust.
Then board President Martin Esquivel engaged in an e-mail exchange with a woman from Wichita, Kan., (where Brooks was superintendent) who defended Ethridge by claiming Brooks has a quick temper. Apparently frustrated by the out-of-state electronic heckler, Esquivel dismissed her as a "nut job" and told her to "get a life." Let's be honest. We all think about doing that, but then impulse control kicks in.
And we probably wouldn't copy the exchange to a wide array of APS board members and executives — as all three APS officials involved did.
While Brooks has many good qualities as superintendent, his grasp of symbolism isn't one of them.
Hence the exchange with Ethridge after publicly preaching about the evils of bullying — which is what Ethridge is really accusing him of.
And his new taxpayer-provided ride isn't the best message to send in these budget times while calling for sacrifice all around. But wait. APS says the shiny new Escape hybrid was a mistake.
The district says a security officer needed a four-wheel vehicle to check antennas on Sandia Crest. But instead of buying a four-wheel drive truck capable of navigating snowy roads and carrying heavy ladders, APS bought a 2010 Ford Escape SUV.
So the officer got Brooks' older but bigger 2001 Ford Expedition and Brooks got the new Escape. Take your pick. Institutional blunder or bad call.
But in the holiday spirit, taxpayers can be grateful that APS didn't buy a new fleet and that the board president acknowledges he should not have hit "send." Plus, we can hope Ethridge is a good addition to Rio Grande — if she goes, instead of filing a lawsuit — and that Brooks will find his "happy place" if he hasn't already.
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