Waking from a Nightmare

I really appreciate Lori Mueller candidly sharing her experiences in her article “Waking From a Nightmare in Baraboo” (February 2020). Her retelling of the events and the immediate response is RIVETING READING FOR ANY SUPERINTENDENT. We all can relate and know we could find our-selves in the same situation.

I found it really beautiful to read how she and her community leaders have guided the healing process for Baraboo. They have converted a crisis into an opportunity.

LORI DECARLO
SUPERINTENDENT,
RANDOLPH ACADEMY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT,
RANDOLPH, N.Y.


In our line of work, we all live with knowing we can’t prepare for everything, but I wanted to show my appreciation and respect for how Lori Mueller handled a terrible situation in “Waking From a Nightmare in Baraboo.”

CHRIS SWENSON
SUPERINTENDENT,
HOLDINGFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
HOLDINGFORD, MINN.

It was very good of Lori Mueller to write about her experience because it was clearly so unique and dramatic. I found her description of the “main principles” governing her work through this ordeal to be especially worthwhile.

Her points No. 6 and No. 7 in the article particularly struck me. Regarding the first point, the intentions of the students involved and the person taking the offensive photo, while fascinating, do not necessarily move the schools and community toward healing. Focusing on the impact was certainly wise.

In No. 7, Mueller reminds us of the underlying goodwill of the students. Some of the willingness to help in the recovery, I imagine, may have come from people appearing in the photo.

Hopefully, Mueller can feel Baraboo settling back into some degree of normalcy.

KARL HERTZ
PAST PRESIDENT, AASA
THIENSVILLE, WIS.

I’ve shared Lori Mueller’s experience with my board of education and put a copy in my “OMG” file for (hopefully never) future reference.

BRIAN P. GATENS
SUPERINTENDENT,
EMERSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT,
EMERSON, N.J.

Focus on Women Leaders

School Administrator’s issue on women superintendents (March 2020) is particularly insightful, and I learned a great deal. I am now assisting with superintendent searches for the New England School Development Council and some of the information in this issue will be useful in shaping my analysis of candidates.

The quality of the magazine is unrivaled. I want the magazine’s staff to know how much this retired educator and past president at AASA respects them and the work they do getting out current information for us to use.

RANDY COLLINS
PAST PRESIDENT, AASA
ELLINGTON, CONN.

Appreciating Print Issues

In these days of Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, I want to salute AASA for continuing to publish a first-class professional periodical. It is still a luxury for me to physically page through the magazine and take my time turning the pages.

Kudos to editor Jay P. Goldman and the AASA staff for this commitment to education journalism.

PEG PORTSCHELLER
PRESIDENT,
PORTSCHELLER & ASSOCIATES,
PARACHUTE, COLO.


Letters should be addressed to: Editor, School Administrator, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Fax: 703-841-1543. E-mail: magazine@aasa.org