I wonder why we can't answer the question posed by Rodney King, "Why can't we just get along?"

At the time King asked that question I thought how naive he was but now I think he may have been on to something. In light of this week's Lafayette Parish School Board meeting I question why School Board Members can't get along with the person they recruited and hired after a nationwide search. The question doesn't stop with Dr. Pat Cooper but goes deeper to past superintendents as well.

What an incredible example for the children these school board members are elected to help educate. Can you imagine a first or second grader asking Mom or Dad over breakfast why the police were called to Lafayette Parish School Board meeting? How do you explain to a young child that sometimes adults can't get along and behave like out-of-control kids on the playground?

Maybe we could institute 'time out' for childish behavior at school board meetings.  I wonder if the behavior at some of these meetings come from the frustration of sitting through endless meetings with no sense of accomplishment.  Is it ego? Is it a male territorial issue?

What else I find interesting about the ongoing conflicts on the Lafayette Parish School Board is the fact that we don't hear about this type of behavior going on in most surrounding parishes. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Some of the surrounding Acadiana Parishes seem to have school boards that get along with the superintendent they hire, maintain their schools properly and even build new schools on a regular basis. All of this can be done if the Board is not constantly embroiled in conflict.

Can you imagine if the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights had been written by the Lafayette Parish School Board?  They would still be working on the first drafts because of constant turmoil!  Thank God some of the historically documented monumental egos could actually work together for the betterment of their country.

It's time the Lafayette Parish School Board members check their egos at the door of the meeting room, learn to get along and get the job they were elected to do completed.

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