Yesterday, June 9th, Thursday, 2016 Missoula schools watchdog attempted to take pictures of the inside of Franklin School. It ended with a police visit and then a breakfast at Ruby's Café with a friend.
The day before, on the 8th, Wednesday, a friend of mine talked to the secretary at Franklin and explained that I would like to take pictures of her in her childhood classrooms at Franklin. The secretary said that it would be no problem and that the best time to take pictures would be Friday morning after 8:30 a.m. as things were going to be removed at a fast pace.
My friend and I agreed to meet at Franklin School at 8:30 on Friday as per the secretary.
I arrived with camera in tow at the correct time, just a little early. As I wanted to get started taking pictures I decided to go ahead into the school even though my Franklin friend had not arrived. I went to the desk and explained to a secretary, perhaps not the woman that my friend had talked to yesterday as she was perhaps the woman that was on the phone, however, the woman I talked to said to go ahead and that she was sure that it would be OK to go ahead and begin taking pictures. I gave her my business card with Joscelyn Photography and my phone number on it. There, I had my bases all covered. Or did I?
Only a minute or so after my camera was clicking off pictures of this priceless and historic school soon to be demolished I heard a woman say, "I am asking you to leave, You have to leave." Oh, Oh, The woman, the principal to which I talked shortly before the bond was passed when I took up Superintendent Thane's suggestion to go into the schools and see what is planned for each one. The suggestion by Thane to visit our schools was aired on the radio on KGVO's Talk Back morning show. One day I was driving on Johnson Street near Franklin School and decided to take Thane up and stop in to Franklin.
As I knew that each school had a 21st Century School plan for the bond I went to the desk to see if there was a flyer on the plans for Franklin. As I did not see one asked the secretary where I could get the flyer for Franklin's plans. She came out and gave me a flyer and we stood and discussed the changes which were also posted on a wall. The most important aspect of the new plans were that FRANKLIN SCHOOL WAS SLATED TO BE DEMOLISHED!! As I cursorily walked down one hall with many old class pictures and saw the absolutely beautiful wood work and the beautiful and historic architecture I was so saddened by the thought that this school could be demolished.
I conveyed this opinion, that of the school being so wonderful, to the principal. She did not agree and said that MCPS needed to implement the 21st Century type of schools and that this demolition was "For the Kids". My thoughts were at the time that how could demolishing a perfectly good school really be good for the kids. Thinking of this beautiful building, serving our Missoula children since 1916, was going to be the victim of a wrecking ball. was almost too much to bare. I wondered if other Franklin employees thought as the principal did asking the nearby janitor and the secretary what they thought of MCPS plans. Not remembering the exact words to these employees it appeared that they were for the demolition.
While discussing the plans with the principal she was continually looking and typing something into the cell phone. I thought it was rather rude for her to be using her cell phone during our conversation. Additionally, she did not seem to take my reservations for the demolition seriously, stating again that it was, "for the kids".
As I left the building I was upset at what I heard about the plans for the school as it they broke my heart, as I've stated, going to the extreme action of demolition. As I sometimes do, unfortunately, I expressed my anguish in a louder than normal voice and unfortunately, as I also sometimes do inserted an inappropriate word - as of this writing I have forgotten the exact wording of my comments but take full responsibility for them and realize that I need to work on controlling my emotions when upset. However, oftentimes escalating tensions occur when plans such as demolishing a cherished asset that is such an integral part of a neighborhood and it's heritage are ill-advised and the consequences not thoroughly thought out.
In the attempt to finish this post but also thinking that I may add/edit/delete some parts at a later date I must quickly end this post. OK - so I've added a little historical perspective to my one visit to Franklin prior to going to take some inside pictures (Oh - and Superintendent Thane did call and ask me to call him back which I did not do as I couldn't really think of anything that I could say that would make a difference one way or another (I'm assuming he called about my Franklin visit) but mostly because I didn't get around to it. I also was thinking that I would schedule a meeting with Thane but again did not have time for that. So it was mostly a time issue for my not getting back to the superintendent.
So, anyway I was basically kicked out of Franklin School by the principal. I did not leave immediately as my thought process was that I had a right to be in the public building as I was a taxpayer thus having helped to pay for it and it's upkeep. I thought of calling an attorney. By this time my friend had come to join me in my ill-fated picture taking project. She came at the right time and guided me outside so we could talk about the situation. Soon after the policeman came as requested by the principal, and told me that the principal had a right to kick me out. So I left with my friend and met her over at Ruby's diner, a long time Missoula restaurant, to help me get grounded which it did over with a cup of coffee, some eggs, hash browns, and toast. Thanks go to my Missoula friend, who truth be told rescued me from a bad situation, and good old Ruby's diner to help me get back to my normal self after my latest rendezvous with MCPS insanity.
P.S. My friend goes to Ruby's when she needs to feel connected to the "old" Missoula. She said we were sure to see someone we knew there. Sure enough, there was my husband's Uncle Herb, going to his car. My friend also knew who Herb was as they used to go the same old church. There really are pockets of the old Missoula out there for which I'm so thankful.
Posted on June 10, Friday, 2016 and I see lots of mistakes which I'll get to later - Bye - for now! Thanks for reading! Missoula school watchdog written by a baby boomer Missoula girl! (You can't take Missoula out of this Missoula girl - ha!)
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