Ms. Valletta in Manhattan High School had two experiences with entry
procedures that illustrate the sometimes conflicting attitudes of those in
authority in a school district. When her superintendent, Ms. Ebony, visited
the school during Ms. Valletta’s first year as principal, the school security
agent recognized the superintendent immediately. The agent had her sign
in but did not ask for ID. After signing in, Ms. Ebony took out her ID and
reminded the agent that she had to follow the prescribed procedure, even
if she recognized the visitor. Ms. Ebony later asked Ms. Valletta to follow
up on this with the security staff.
Several years later, the chancellor visited the school. When he was
asked for ID by this same agent, he gruffly said, “I am the chancellor—
don’t you recognize me?” The agent still insisted on his showing ID,
which he reluctantly did. The chancellor didn’t say anything about this
to Ms. Valletta. After he left, the security agent came to see her, quite
upset, and described the incident, fearing the chancellor would report her.
Ms. Valletta assured the agent that she had followed the proper procedure
and she would defend her if there were any repercussions. Ms. Valletta
immediately called Ms. Ebony and explained what had happened. The
superintendent fully agreed with the security agent. The chancellor did
complain to Ms. Ebony and the New York Police Department. He was
nicely told that the agent was only following the procedure set down in
his own directives.
When a school has any special event or affair, the details become even
more important. To miss one might be to invite disaster. Mr. Thelen
often had special affairs at his school. One was the Career/College Day
when invited representatives from various occupations and colleges
came to the school. It is likely that as a school leader you may plan such
a day at your school. Perhaps Principal Thelen’s experiences will be
useful to you.
This special day was more than a way to help students to think about
their futures. Every business representative was a potential supporter of
the school. Every college recruiter would leave with an impression of the
school and its students that could impact on future student acceptances.
When Mr. Jay, Bloomingdale’s executive and chair of the school’s busi-
ness advisory board, proposed a Career/College Day, he had no idea of
the amount of work he created for Mr. Thelen in only his second year as
Mind the Details 163