Fixing Findlay First Edition

We don't pretend to have the patience or the skill set needed to be an effective teacher or school administrator, and we appreciate the kind souls who are part of this profession for all the right reasons. As a community and as individual families, we rely on you greatly to guide and nurture our children, and nothing compares to that. We also know that every job has its challenges. Still, we're troubled by the findings of an investigation of the Findlay Schools Findlay First Edition show choir program and the tacit permissions that seemed granted that allowed inappropriate behavior to flourish. The same thing happened five years ago, according to the investigation and the records related to it. Choir director Kevin Manley was reprimanded in January 2019 and again this month for allegedly allowing some initiation rituals and vulgar behavior, or he didn't do enough to stop it or discourage it. School officials are frustrated by that, and that is understandable. Yes, we know, teenagers these days, they will do anything to shock the senses, or upset the balance, etc., etc. We do understand the groupthink that happens, in groups. And while we empathize with that, there still must be accountability. Manley was reprimanded, again, and we hope he's able to meet the school district's expectations going forward, including the mandate that he firmly inform students what is — and what isn't — acceptable behavior. We hope the unpleasant news of the last few months ultimately helps fortify the structure of the Findlay First Edition program and that the focus shifts back to the stage, as it will at today's FFE Findlay Fest. FFE's success is legendary and is rightly treasured by district families. We appreciate that, and Manley deserves credit for keeping the program strong. But he must also correct these deficiencies as the district has asked. We hope he succeeds. Editorial board