Let’s take a look at how the Lawrence public schools have performed in recent months: Post-secondary attendance for Lawrence graduates is at 82 percent. Our students far exceed state targets in attendance, graduation, state reading and math assessments. Our district met Adequate Yearly Progress as required under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Combination classrooms have declined from 25 in 1999 to two this year. Laidlaw-Lawrence, our transportation provider, was recognized as the safest school bus system in the nation. The Lawrence public schools are very strong. When criticism is constant amid these and many other successes, who could blame those serving for re-evaluating their effectiveness in the position? That is what happened in USD 497 this past week.

The public has an absolute right to know the salaries their tax dollars support; this is nothing new and has been the law for a very long time. Had the Journal-World published an 8-by-10 photo of Supt. Randy Weseman along with his salary, you would not have seen the fallout that occurred. The article appeared to support the criticism held by many that our administration is bloated and overpaid.

Our governor is clearly supportive of more funding for education. However our Legislature is clearly not — and experienced state politicians hold little hope that resolution of the budget crisis will come from our Capitol this year. The constant drumming of the “our district has too much administration, in too nice of a facility, with too little work ethic” mantra continues.

So, yes, Supt. Weseman threw up his hands knowing the mantra will build momentum throughout the year and at the critical juncture, when budget and negotiations deadlines near, the cry will be “teachers deserve an increase, kids need programs, health insurance must be paid for and administration can take another hit but still get the job done.”

Weseman has reduced staff and cut millions in the past three years. What I heard, from a brutally honest man who has served this district for 26 years, was that if we, as a community and a board, want to continue cutting administration, holding the line on teacher pay, and continue cutting programs and administration, we need to find another hatchet man. That’s called being “up-front.”

Weseman could have quietly gone to another community and found a position; it wouldn’t be hard with the reputation he has as an administrator. In doing so, he could take early retirement here and come out ahead financially. But, as always, Weseman made his thoughts crystal clear. He was simply telling it like it is; that’s a strength and not a weakness.

The Journal-World has since published administrative salaries of Shawnee Mission, Olathe, and Blue Valley. The editorial page has been very supportive of Weseman and the district over the past many months. Following the salary article, Journal-World editors again expressed support for Weseman, his staff and the Lawrence public schools. But the damage was done.

Far, far more people read the front page than the editorial page. Those who wish to believe the evil administration is the beginning and end of all of our funding problems were validated and reinforced. To the critics who were titillated by the events of this past week and enjoy the constant pounding on those in public service, I encourage you to step out front and serve. Get in the game. Stop heckling from the stands and suit up.

We welcome your help in overcoming the challenges facing public education in Kansas. As long as Supt. Weseman is serving, I’ll be there to join you in that challenge.

Cindy Yulich is a member of the Lawrence school board.