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After the meeting was adjourned, a mob of parents, students and local reporters crowded around Jody to congratulate her and ask questions about the plans for Tylers future.
Come on, Diane said. Lets get out of here.
On the way home, they passed by the high school. The buildings were dark, black, and the rounded trees in front of the office blended with the contours of the structure to create a silhouetted shape in the gloom that reminded Linda of a hulking monster preparing to pounce. That was a weird thought, and not one that shed ever had about Tyler before, though shed been here at night countless times.
Linda glanced away, feeling cold, and it was not until they were several blocks away that she realized what had been wrong with the scene: not only were all the lights in the school off, but the streetlights on that side of Grayson were out as well, as though a blackout had hit only that one block. It made the school seem not only the focus of the darkness but the cause of it. She didnt like that, and though she knew life wasnt literature, the metaphor troubled her.
It was as if Diane could read her mind. Things are changing, her friend said, and Linda was not sure if that was sadness or worry she heard in Dianes voice. It certainly wasnt anticipation.
So whats your take on this whole charter school thing? Linda asked. Theyd been talking about Jodys behavior ever since the meeting adjourned, but they hadnt discussed the charter proposal.
It really doesnt matter. Its going through despite what I think.
But what do you think?
Diane sighed. Ill deny I ever said this. And it wouldnt have occurred to me even two hours ago. But the thought of giving Jody complete autonomy over the school scares the crap out of me. After what I saw in there . . .
At least school boards can be recalled, Linda agreed. At least theyre elected.
So you dont buy our big switch to democracy either, huh?
Do I think were all going to have equal say in how the school is run? Do I think its all going to be one communal lovefest where all of our wishes are going to be granted? No.
Its all there in the charter, in black-and-white. You heard Jody.
Yes, Linda said, I did.
Frank was in bed when she got home, watching a rerun of Monk . At least some things never changed, and she felt safe and comfortable as she brushed her teeth, took off her clothes and crawled in bed next to him. They made love, and though he was only halfway engaged and kept his eye on the television the entire time in order to see the end of his show, that was all right.
In fact, it was nice.
Two
Two days later, Linda received in the mail a heavy package consisting of two hundred bound photocopied pages with a title sheet that read John Tyler High School Charter. There was also a cover letter and a numbered ballot on which were listed two choices: Accept Charter and Reject Charter. The ballots were to be turned in at a mandatory meeting of all faculty and staff that was scheduled for Monday morning at ten.
Neither Diane nor any of the other teachers with whom shed talked after the board meeting had believed that converting Tyler High to a charter school could be accomplished in less than a year. There were simply too many details to attend to, too many ts to be crossed and is to be dotted. And although thered been no mention of a timetable, they had all assumed that if the proposal was approved, the following school year would be the first under the new charter. However, as the cover letter made clear, the principal and the charter committee had every intention of implementing the changes this year and immediately shifting all administrative responsibilities from the district to the
After the meeting was adjourned, a mob of parents, students and local reporters crowded around Jody to congratulate her and ask questions about the plans for Tylers future.
Come on, Diane said. Lets get out of here.
On the way home, they passed by the high school. The buildings were dark, black, and the rounded trees in front of the office blended with the contours of the structure to create a silhouetted shape in the gloom that reminded Linda of a hulking monster preparing to pounce. That was a weird thought, and not one that shed ever had about Tyler before, though shed been here at night countless times.
Linda glanced away, feeling cold, and it was not until they were several blocks away that she realized what had been wrong with the scene: not only were all the lights in the school off, but the streetlights on that side of Grayson were out as well, as though a blackout had hit only that one block. It made the school seem not only the focus of the darkness but the cause of it. She didnt like that, and though she knew life wasnt literature, the metaphor troubled her.
It was as if Diane could read her mind. Things are changing, her friend said, and Linda was not sure if that was sadness or worry she heard in Dianes voice. It certainly wasnt anticipation.
So whats your take on this whole charter school thing? Linda asked. Theyd been talking about Jodys behavior ever since the meeting adjourned, but they hadnt discussed the charter proposal.
It really doesnt matter. Its going through despite what I think.
But what do you think?
Diane sighed. Ill deny I ever said this. And it wouldnt have occurred to me even two hours ago. But the thought of giving Jody complete autonomy over the school scares the crap out of me. After what I saw in there . . .
At least school boards can be recalled, Linda agreed. At least theyre elected.
So you dont buy our big switch to democracy either, huh?
Do I think were all going to have equal say in how the school is run? Do I think its all going to be one communal lovefest where all of our wishes are going to be granted? No.
Its all there in the charter, in black-and-white. You heard Jody.
Yes, Linda said, I did.
Frank was in bed when she got home, watching a rerun of Monk . At least some things never changed, and she felt safe and comfortable as she brushed her teeth, took off her clothes and crawled in bed next to him. They made love, and though he was only halfway engaged and kept his eye on the television the entire time in order to see the end of his show, that was all right.
In fact, it was nice.
Two
Two days later, Linda received in the mail a heavy package consisting of two hundred bound photocopied pages with a title sheet that read John Tyler High School Charter. There was also a cover letter and a numbered ballot on which were listed two choices: Accept Charter and Reject Charter. The ballots were to be turned in at a mandatory meeting of all faculty and staff that was scheduled for Monday morning at ten.
Neither Diane nor any of the other teachers with whom shed talked after the board meeting had believed that converting Tyler High to a charter school could be accomplished in less than a year. There were simply too many details to attend to, too many ts to be crossed and is to be dotted. And although thered been no mention of a timetable, they had all assumed that if the proposal was approved, the following school year would be the first under the new charter. However, as the cover letter made clear, the principal and the charter committee had every intention of implementing the changes this year and immediately shifting all administrative responsibilities from the district to the
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