Elia’s Press Conference

I don’t know how many other school superintendents would open themselves up to a student press conference, but I suspect there aren’t many. So, plaudits to Hillsborough County Super MaryEllen Elia on another of her annual student press conferences.

To be sure, this is not a gathering of Arianna Huffington wannabes. It’s not the gotcha gestalt crowd, but the forum works.

Schools, as we are frequently reminded these days, are filled with high-profile, often controversial, issues. Starting with the implications and subplots of budget cuts. And teacher tenure and accountability and FCAT impact. And AP course offerings and content. And the incidence of bullying. And graduation rates. And spring break dates. And the Gates Foundation ramifications.

To the general public, these are issues. To students, it’s their life.

Those chosen (from ranks of student government and newspapers) to attend can act as surrogates for classmates. No, it’s not a stop-the-presses dynamic, but the students are afforded the opportunity to personalize the issues –from honors credit to bus routes–to the person in charge. Many adult employees would love to have such a Q&A with the boss. Life-impacting decisions are always multi-dimensional.

Sure, such a press conference allows for Elia to easily bridge to her bragging points, but that’s a valid part of exchange. She has some data on her side. And maybe the symbolism of students being able to question the superintendent trumps the resultant substance. But that is hardly irrelevant.

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