• My Livingston Life... 
      
     
    Ken Losi
      
    “My career as an educator in the Livingston School District provided an opportunity to work with students, colleagues and parents who recognized and appreciated the value of a quality education. Education is one of the few common denominators in life that provides a memorable and informative experience for everyone and provides an important foundation for that which is to follow. Amongst all the variables within a school setting, the key to learning and making education a positive experience is most often the teacher. Fulfilling that responsibility is what has made being a teacher at Livingston High School and Director of the Livingston Alternative School a most rewarding career.”
     
    John Rowley
      
    “Livingston has become a very desirable town in which to live and raise a family, in large part because of the reputation of its schools. We are fortunate to have a talented and dedicated staff and the support of the community. 

    We can be grateful to the city planners who set aside school park sites in the ‘40’s so that the buildings were ready during the population explosion of the 50’s and 60’s.
    Over the years, however, our schools have changed techniques, but the bureaucracy has changed little. Without any valid research, federal and state legislators establish rules and regulations which then get passed down the chain.

    Researcher Dr. Kerns observed that …”most schools operate with top down command/control management. This stifles creativity, independent judgement and the development of human potential. However if you look at successful businesses today, especially the new tech firms, you’ll see they are less bureaucratic, more decentralized and rely on the know-how and professionalism of those closest to the problems. They also spend money on research, employee support and continued training.”

    Since joining the Livingston District in 1956, I have worked with several superintendents and school boards. Those who were dogmatic stifled creativity, involvement in decision making and hurt morale. Fortunately, there were also those who permitted decentralized decisions, cooperative planning, open expression and creative problem solving. We weren’t forced to walk in lock step, but were able to develop unique programs that accommodated the special needs and interests of our children.

    So I would encourage those involved to operate more like the successful tech companies and free our teachers to be collegial, creative and energetic in the pursuit of excellence. The reality is that EDUCATION CAN’T BE ANY BETTER THAN THAT TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM!