I’m a fan. But depending on which publication (or weblog) you read, people either love her, hate her, or question her motivations.
The Tribune and The O had dueling and dissonant versions this morning – she’s got a cadre of defenders in the Trib’s article, subtitled ” New schools superintendent praised for her bold decisions.” But in The O? She’s apparently ‘at odds’ with our Portland-style moves, with folks annoyed about being cut out of the decisionmaking process.
And the comments are already swirling online as well – see Jack Bogdanski’s You go, girl” take on The O’s story for just one example. (I’ve also had some interesting comments on an earlier Metroblog post here as well, and BlueOregon’s had several conversations in recent months about PPS moves and pending decisions – see this post co-authored by City Club Wendy Radmacher-Willis foreshadowing the potential effects of closing smaller neighborhood schools as just one example.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I’m thrilled and relieved that she’s making the tough decisions, and appears to be ready to take the heat for them. And of course, I’m pleased to see several other people – from S. Renee Mitchell and an op-ed by Lewis & Clark law professor Stephen Kantor (both in the hand-wringing O, no less) to Commissioner Randy Leonard (in the comments to my post below and to Isaac Lacqudem’s post on his site) – standing up to applaud her decisiveness.
I’ll add a ‘bring it on! cheer to Jack’s own ‘you go, girl!’ What say you…?