What the tabloid isn't telling you about the Boston Latin School headmaster

As an MU alum, the issue at Mizzou was a lot more complicated than just the racial stuff going on, although that's what got reported the most. The Chancellor was extremely unpopular among high level faculty already for completely unrelated policies and the firing of some very popular Deans. There was some definite use of the political unrest by people in power to unseat the Chancellor.

Poor little baby, it must be so hard dealing with all those awful insensitive privileged white people who do not want to join your white guilt circlejerk. Would you like a pillow to cry into?

And, for your information, I attended a public school in NYC that was about 30% white, and while there were N-bombs heard in the hallways every now and then (that was well before the Twitter generation,) they were outnumbered by honkey/white boy/cracka/etc by at least a factor of 10. So, while that kettle might be black after all (much pun intended,) the pot needs to take a look in the mirror first.

FYI. Boston Latin School does not contribute one cent to the crew team or its transport, it is completely paid for by the parents !

@jshore-
Your information on Latin Crew is incorrect.

1st- the program is much more expensive than you indicate

2nd- it is funded by participant fees and a TON of significant fundraising and solicitation.

3rd- I cannot remember the last time we had a bake sale and my daughter has been with the team for years. The coaches would be appalled that anyone thinks the kids do bake sales as they emphasize healthful eating in addition to the rigorous daily workouts.

4th-the school contributes very little $$ to the team (I am guessing less than 5-10%). We parents would love it if we were allocated more funds- then we would not have to spend the entire Spring season doing fundraising parties, finding corporate sponsors, and soliciting money from family and friends.

5th- the team was started a decade or more ago by a small group of parents. From the start, there was an inclusive attitude on the team, particularly with respect to financial need. The team parents always raise money for 'scholarships' and set it aside for families who need it.

6th- the rowers would love it if they had a bus to transport them to the river and to regattas. They don't. They take public transportation to the river and, depending on what team they are on, it can involve train and bus transfers as well as a mile walk. None of that is a problem because they put the T time to good use.

and, finally, 7th- I know for a fact that the cost of crew and the associated fundraising puts pressure on parents and the rowers. The great percentage of the team families are not ones that have a lot of money to spare. I am guessing many of us would have preferred that our child had picked a less expensive sport or one that was funded by the school. But they didn't and they love it. And they learn more about themselves than just how to crew a boat. Like commitment, focus, time management, teamsmanship.

@jshore- Your information about Boston Latin Crew 'funding' is inaccurate

1st- The cost of the BLS crew program (and any crew program of this size) is a lot more than the $60,000 you quote.

2nd- The largest percentage of funding for Crew comes from a combination of rower fees and a TON of fundraising. Rowers and parents organize fundraising events and solicit donations from anyone we can think of. The team does have ‘generous donors’- these donors include our employers, our families, our friends, and crew supporters.

3rd- The school (or maybe, more accurately, the Boston Latin School Association) does provide some team funds but it is small- maybe 5-10% of the program budget. Rowers and parents would really appreciate it if the school could afford to fund a larger number but it is not possible.

4th- BLS Crew was started over a decade ago by a small group of parents. The organization runs because of a team of dedicated parent volunteers and, from the start, set out to make the team as inclusive as possible. This inclusiveness includes setting aside some of the proceeds from fundraising for families who need assistance.

5th- My daughter has been on the team for a number of years and I cannot remember ever having a bake sale. The coaches would be appalled to know that people might think the rowers have bake sales as they promote healthful eating in addition to a rigorous daily workout routine.

5th- The rowers do not take a BLS bus to the boathouse or to regattas. They take public transportation and, depending on their team’s schedule, it can involve T and bus transfers and a mile long walk. They put the time to good use but, of course, would love to have the luxury of a team bus to transport them to the boathouse and regattas. Except for the T to practice, all transportation is handled by parent carpools.

And 6th- For a good percentage of BLS Crew families, the fees for the program represent a significant investment. And I am guessing many would have loved it if their child participated in a funded or less costly sport. But our children chose crew and they love it. And we parents work hard to support their love of the support. Crew is a wonderful sport in that it encourages teamsmanship, focus, time management, and goal setting.

I, for one, am grateful that small number of parents put the crew organization in place and that a number of dedicated parents keep it going.

The BLS Association has an endowment because a group of alumni -- in the 1880s -- felt strongly enough about their alma mater to start one. Other schools in the city have also had private alumni associations throughout the years, but few, if any, are active financial forces today. That's because of the individuals involved, not because of BPS.

The BLSA is a public charity, but it is NOT part of Boston Public Schools. A 30-second survey of the internet could explain the relationships. And anyone who wants to examine their 990s can certainly do so - they're public records. A summary of the BLSA's financial information is already on their website.

By charter the BLSA can only -- and does only -- support those extra projects and programs that the City of Boston cannot pay for. And due to the nature of funding for public schools, BLS actually receives LESS money per pupil than any other BPS high school. It makes the monies raised by the BLSA even more critical. Those are the sorts of facts that tend to keep successful alumni interested in giving back to the place that gave them a chance to fulfill their potential. Generations of city kids supporting other city kids -- that's a problem?

If you want to comment on the current issues being addressed at the school, great. But to find fault with the fact that BLS has been churning out proud and loyal alumni for more than 350 years? Hard to connect the two.

It's preposterous to suggest that without access to official records, students won't know about discipline to other students. They talk, post their lives and nudes on social media, and absolutely know intimate details of each others' activities.
I'm not surprised by any of this, BSAC has complained about teachers at BLS making racist and homophobic remarks openly in classes, complaining about it to administration year after year, and no action coming from it year after year. Why? Because everyone is totally bought into the school being seen as great. Students, parents, teachers, administrators. They all have an interest in seeing the school's reputation maintained as some holy grail.
Knowing Teta, Flynn, the powerless and hapless Guidance department, and teachers present and past at BLS, there is little question in my mind that they sat on this believing it would disappear just like so many other terrible actions at the school.
Teta does not want any association with Boston, just as BLS only plays one ceremonial sports game each year with English, and otherwise plays only Milton, Newton, Needham, etc., so she would like BLS to be like Thomas Jefferson in Fairfax VA and recruit from the surrounding wealthy white towns. In 2015, exactly 10 black students entered Thomas Jefferson. That is what Teta wants; higher test scores more ivy league admissions, and more endowment. Everything else is an obstacle to that goal.

The jokes are revealing. The racism wasps had towards Irish and Italians dissipated over a few generations. The racism that's founded in skin color has but much less so.