Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Pat McDonald, who retired from the Waynesboro Area School District.
I’ve seen a banner in many classrooms, many places over the years, that reads “What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular.” I’m telling you early – this is my message.
Mr. Pappas seems very popular. Yard signs, t-shirts, petitions – and the administration believes it’s right. So, board members, this should all come down to whom you believe is more right, and not who is more popular.
I have watched with interest the hub-bub online about this issue. But I believe posting on-line is not real discourse, not real discussion, not a real attempt to solve an issue. It’s the easiest way to vent without consequence.
Admittedly, I am out of the current education loop. I retired from the district years ago, and my own children attended here, also years ago. Mostly, I see social posts about the administration being too critical or unfair. What should matter most to the Board is – what is true.
I cannot speak to any of the specifics on this current issue involving Mr. Pappas; I only know that he had been moved from a position before. What I can speak to, though, are the many instances over many, many years during which Dr. Sterner-Hine has demonstrated time and time again effective, fair and positive leadership. I am not sure how many new board members – or parents in the district – actually know all that she has accomplished during her nearly 40-year commitment to us.
You see, I have known Rita since her days as a student in Greencastle High School. A few years later, I was surprised to be teaching along side her in the early days of our Middle School. She was eager and poised. Next I witnessed her grow into a team leader there, confident and very capable. From there she aspired to climb the ladder of leadership with many increasingly successful steps on that journey.
-Assistant Principal at the high school
-Principal of Hooverville
-Principal of Summitview
-Assistant Superintendent
-Superintendent
Along the way she has often been involved in community activities, notably chairing the WABEC campaign for the new stadium. Interestingly and significantly, at no point in her long career was she ever removed, discredited or maligned. On the contrary, she has been respected, admired, & commended time and time again.
Board members, you must consider these two options in this situation – either you believe Dr. Sterner-Hine has lost or abandoned her considerable skills, OR you trust she has remained the committed and competent supervisor she has always been. I am asking the Board to do what is right, remembering that doing so isn’t always popular.
Did Mr. McDonald actually attend any of the meetings or read about the specifics of the charges? This isn’t about a popularity contest. This is popular in favor of Mr. Pappas because of the absurdity of the accusations brought against him. Time and again the supporters of Mrs. Hine have not been able to articulate any coherent reasoning for her accusations against Mr. Pappas. Frankly, a lot of it is laughable except for what she apparently tried to “sweep under the rug.” It appears that there are a lot more people who know his character and value it more than the superintendent’s.