There’s something about Mason Elementary. I know I’ll be accused of pandering as I write this, but it’s legitimate.
Mason had their Fall Fest today, selling pumpkins, a chili cook-off, and games for all the kids. It’s a pretty cool scene and the folks at Mason always welcome me with open arms.
It started off a little rougher there for me. Early on in my Board service we were wrestling with some pretty heavy financial decisions. I think at least two years in a row we were evaluating whether to outsource the district’s custodians. The Board, the year before I started my service, had just outsourced the food service. People were pretty skeptical that the custodians wouldn’t be outsourced. Nobody was real happy about it. They thought it was a “done deal”.
The Mason community took it more seriously than others. They assembled a group of really strong advocates. They came to be known as “The Mason Moms” and I’d say it was a term of endearment. They were tough, passionate, organized, and informed. I respected all that. After Board meetings I would speak with one or two and then they asked if I’d like to come to speak to a meeting of parents at Mason. I didn’t hesitate. I was eager to do so.
Well, they packed the library and they had plenty of good questions and good feedback. We had a great session, filled with a good deal of knowledge transfer, explanations, emotions and pleas. I made no promises about whether we would or would not outsource the custodians, because at that time I had now way of knowing whether we’d need to or what would happen. I never have stooped to telling people what they want to hear. I give it to people straight.
I had never been to Mason before that night, and I’ll never forget taking special notice of their front hallway. They have a couple pictures to inform people of their history. One is a picture of Steven Mason, the building’s namesake. Mason was appointed territorial Michigan’s governor in 1834 at just the age of 22, thus the “Boy Governor” moniker. I’d love to know the story behind why Mason in particular became the your Grosse Pointe’s district choice for the school’s name. But I just like that story. And it gets better.
The construction of Mason began just before the Great Depression, which hit mid-project. Money got tight and the plans for the larger Mason Elementary had to be immediately scaled back. So the original design was at least a third larger than what ended up being the final design.
So in that front hallway they have the picture of The Boy Governor next to the picture of the original building rendering. Don’t know why that struck me, but it just did. I guess it was just kind of that quirky personality that makes our neighborhood schools each unique.
And my final thought as that I might think I’ve had some tough choices as a Board member over these last five years, but nothing compared to having to completely alter construction of a new school mid-project. But lo and behold, who were some of the Board members then? Only guys like Brownell and Poupard who had other buildings named after them! I guess those guys came out of some of those tough decisions pretty good.
To me the Mason Moms set the standard for constructive advocacy. We learned from each other because we respected each other and I think that’s why our relationship has developed. I have been back to speak with the folks at Mason a couple times since then. They even let me judge the chili cook off today. This makes me feel good. I think it shows that advocacy need not be hateful or spiteful. We didn’t end up outsourcing the custodians then or at any other time. The Mason Moms were a big reason why.
I respected their advocacy and I think they respected that I was willing to listen, that I had an open mind, and would so willingly share the other side of the story. That entire episode had a great impact on my Board service.
I am thankful for the special relationship I’ve had with the Mason community. They’ve welcomed me with open arms, taught me a lot, and, I hope, benefitted in return. Thanks, Mason Moms, (and dads, and kids). You’ve got a great thing going on there. I look forward to coming back.