Anonymous Posts
Should I allow them? I debate every time I allow a ‘controversial” or inflammatory” post whether or not it’s worth posting. Most recently the “teacher” post has had a lot of reaction and I don’t know if it is actually a teacher or someone being antagonistic. I am leaning toward not allowing them (Mrs. Sweeny’s recent post) BUT I do understand some people wanting or needing anonymity. So I think I would be Ok with allowing an anonymous post if I knew the person behind the fictitious name. Thoughts?
Posted in Around the District and School Closings 14 years, 9 months ago at 8:20 am. 9 comments
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Sorry I forgot to add to my post that I feel the anonymous posts add to a lot of blame and speculation as to who the person is. It happened to myself before my initial post. Someone thought that a post was mine and it was not. This speculation and unjustified blaming could make for a dangerous and very uncomfortable situation. Nobody needs or wants people whispering behind their back.
I think anonymous posts should be allowed. just because people don’t leave their names doesn’t mean that they have a valid point. Although I do no agree with the tone of the “teacher” post it makes some valid points.
We are a budget driven school district where cost is valued higher than educational concerns. To me this is and always will be a penny wise pound foolish philosophy. By closing two schools we may see a slightly smaller increase in our tax levy. However it is my belief that clustering will negatively effect home values in most of the district. So if I saved $100 a year on my tax levy but my home value drops 20-30k did I save money?
Dr. Nagler,
I don’t believe there should be anonymous posts. If you are stating your opinion on this blog you should take ownership of your opinion or statement. It is just that, your opinion. Thank goodness we live in a country where we have freedom of speech and are allowed to voice our opinions. One should not be afraid of retaliation or embarrassed by what they have to say. I also feel that if you are going to attack someone or a group(i.e. “teacher”), you should use your name and not hide behind your anonymity. I am not certain “teacher”, but I don’t believe you would have been so bold as to have made those comments to the “non-working mothers of Mineola” if you used your name or were face to face with us. It is amazing how brash people can be when noboby knows who they are.
Dr. Nagler,
Anonymous or pseudononymous letters and recommendations aren’t legitimate in any other venue. And ours is so important.
Dr. Nagler,
I have been one of the people writing anonymous posts. I have attended several of the Board meeting over the past several weeks, however, as much as I wanted to get up and talk I just could not. I have a very difficult time getting up in public to talk, especially with it being on television. I do not like to be the center of attention……I guess you can call it public shyness or just plain scared to do it. I thank you for giving us the opportunity to write on this blog.
Yet as I learned more about clustering and the financial condition of our district, I felt very strongly that we need to move forward with plans to restructure. I wanted to express this and my reasons for it because I truly care about our district, its future and its students. My posts have not been antagonistic in any way. In fact, they were very positive and were not meant to get into a debate with anyone. Our district has so much to offer not only academically but with wonderful after school programs. This was a way for me to express to the younger families how important this is for not only the older students but for the younger ones as well. I especially wanted to communicate what our district has to offer as their children move onto the middle school and high school. My children will not be directly affected by the transitions. I can truly understand why some parents with young children may be overwhelmed with this change.
Another part of being anonymous is that I did not want people to think I was supporting this only because my children will not be affected, but that is not the case at all. I feel it is the best thing for our district at this time. Looking back now, I feel that clustering would have enhanced my children’s education even more and would be very open to it for them. I also looking forward to a more united district.
Some may say why go anonymous when you are really not in front of the public……but in a sense I still feel I am. I was more comfortable expressing myself this way even on this blog. My reasons were truly very different than the post by the Teacher, and it was not done because I feared retaliation in any way. It was very simply a more comfortable way for me to express myself.
Thanks so much for your consideration Dr. Nagler. I suggested this in order to avoid the antagonistic tone of some of the anonymous posts in general, not just “Teacher”. Ii was my hope that it may create more thoughtful and less personal posts from the community. Thanks!
Dear Dr. Nagler,
While I understand that some people may be uncomfortable using their names when posting their thoughts, I feel it is wrong for a person to hide behind a title such as “teacher”, when choosing to attack the views of someone else. Everyone has the right to their opinion. I may not agree with that opinion,but I respect the fact that they use their name. Ultimately, everyone wants what is best for our children. This can only be achieved when people are willing to listen to one another and work together to find a solution to the fiscal issues facing the district. I feel that if a person has a legitimate reason for wanting their post to be anonymous, it should only be allowed if you are aware of who the person is. Postings such as the one made by “teacher” do more harm than good and make people wonder who is truly behind it.
I have been told by some of the anonymous posters that they prefer to remain nameless because they fear retaliation on their children for their opinions.
In re-reading all of the posts, there really aren’t any that I would think couldn’t be shared comfortably, but that is just my opinion. I was rather astonished when I heard the reasoning but fear of retaliation is indeed a real fear on the part of some parents. I would prefer a name to a post.
If there were some legitimate personal reason i.e. illness disclosure or financial info, perhaps something could be arranged with Dr. Nagler for a blind post.
Dr. Nagler,
You already know how I feel about the anonymous posts, but I would agree with the fact that at least you should know who they are coming from. I think that you knowing who they are would help in your decision whether to post them or not. You will be able to determine if it is a legitimate post, or as you say an antagonistic one.