So far in this series on education in Polk County, we’ve heard from a teacher and student. But right from the start it was clear that this series wasn’t going to be complete without a talk with Aaron Greene, the superintendent of Polk Schools. Before taking over the top job six years ago, he was assistant superintendent, and before that principal at Polk High. It’s probably safe to say if anyone has their hand on the pulse of public education in the county, it’s Aaron Greene.
But these days school administrators have a lot more on their plate than just managing teachers and developing lesson plans. Schools aren’t just places students go to learn the things society has determined they need to know. They’re also a source of nutrition for kids whose families are having trouble putting food on table, and safe place for those whose home lives are not as safe as they should be. Polk Schools, like so many other school districts in this country, are a vital part of the entire social fabric. Right or wrong, that’s been true for years, and those kind of issues are now part and parcel of the job.
And then came COVID-19.
North Carolina handed the job of deciding how to respond to the pandemic to each school district. Polk Schools’ Board of Education, which wasn’t used to analyzing epidemiology data and weighing the risks and benefits of masks, vaccines, ventilation, and remote instruction had to rely on administrative staff to figure it all out. It was, to put it mildly, a difficult couple of years, and the board wasn’t always willing to take the superintendent’s advice. But Aaron Greene survived, which is more than you can say about a fair number of superintendents across this country. We talked in his office a few weeks ago.
Further reading:
Charlotte-Mecklenberg superintendent fired
https://www.yahoo.com/video/cms-board-hold-emergency-meeting-190130132.html
Fairfax superintendent prompts student walk-out
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/19/we-walked-out-over-fairfax-countys-new-superintendent-heres-why/
Superintendent turnover in NC
https://www.ednc.org/lessons-learned-superintendent-transitions/

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