Why is the Colbert Heights Elementary School Principal in the Crosshairs?

Why is the Colbert Heights Elementary School Principal in the Crosshairs?

A Guest Commentary

Recently, a Sports Illustrated article named Alabama’s Coach Nick Saban to their “Most Disliked People in Sports” list, generating some interesting online comments at BamaOnLine:

“I don’t think I have ever known a great leader who wasn’t hated by some.  It is a byproduct of great leadership and great success.”  —wfbamafan

“Those that have goals which can only be attained through effort and hard work are often disliked by those seeking the easy path.  In short … loafers will always ridicule the achievers in an attempt to deflect their own lack of deeds and shortcomings.” —Crimson_Ghost

A comparison could be made here in the situation with Principal Bob Montgomery at Colbert Heights Elementary School (CHES).  With Montgomery’s background in coaching, he and Saban probably have similar management styles and each has achieved his own degree of success in his chosen field.  But each of these men is disliked by some — most notably in Montgomery’s case, the Colbert County Superintendent, a small minority of CHES teachers (2-3), and at least some of the parents.

So here’s the question:  Why are these people so eager to dislike, malign, and even punish successful people? 

For those who may not know the situation, the Colbert County Superintendent, Mr. Anthony Olivis, placed Montgomery (his opponent in the last superintendent’s race), on leave of absence in February of this year, refusing to give him a reason.  A later Pen N Sword blog said Olivis planned to invoke the “gross inefficiency” clause in his contract.  Ultimately, Olivis was unable to come up with anything to convince the Board of Education that termination was warranted — he learned just before the March Board of Education meeting at which he planned to fire Montgomery that he didn’t have the votes to let him go.  Thank goodness the Board did not simply rubber stamp Olivis’ recommendation.

According to many teachers and parents, Montgomery’s done an outstanding job at CHES in the 11 years he’s been there.  Academically, the school has the best test scores in the county.  He’s improved the facility and grounds (adding playgrounds and playground equipment), kept the facilities clean, painted, and repaired, and maintained landscaping, often helping with his own hands and on his own time.  A computer room was added a few years ago and two Pre-K classes have been approved and added.  Classroom technology has been updated and parent involvement has increased.

The school is in great shape financially.  Teachers have everything they need and more, whether it’s training or classroom supplies.  In fact, elementary teachers from all over the county want jobs there, and current teachers don’t want to leave.

Now the rumor mill reports that in spite of finding no evidence of wrong-doing, Olivis is planning to transfer Montgomery to the county alternative school, effectively punishing him for his success at CHES.  Montgomery has endured three months of job and retirement uncertainty, as well as defamation of character as a result of Olivis’ inept handling of a situation seemingly triggered by Olivis’ own personal and political motives.

Back to the question:  Why are people so eager to dislike, malign, and even punish successful people? We can all speculate as to why Olivis would try to discredit and impugn Montgomery.  The obvious reasons, known to those who have worked with both men, are not particularly flattering to Olivis and need not be stated here.

But what about the two or three teachers who helped Olivis in his bid to take down Montgomery? Perhaps Crimson_Ghost was onto something when he/she said, “… loafers will always ridicule the achievers in an attempt to deflect their own lack of deeds and shortcomings.”

And those community folks who seem so enthusiastic in their slander of Montgomery — spreading vicious, ugly lies as reasons for his being placed on leave of absence?  There’s another quote by an unknown author which says, “Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”

Could all these people (Olivis and select parents and teachers) be compared to theSports Illustrated folks who voted Saban to the list of “Most Disliked People in Sports?”  Maybe those at Sports Illustrated don’t like Saban — but ask any Alabama fan what they think of him, and you’ll get a very different opinion.

Surely most CHES teachers and parents hold a better opinion of Montgomery, who by most accounts is a proven and successful leader, and appreciate what he has done for their school and their children.

*****

A very well-spoken commentary. We always welcome guest blogs. Please always state if you want your real name used or not...and many thanks!

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