BY JIM HOLDERMAN
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY —
All too often, business and government mergers fail due to the fact that they do not address the human factors involved with mergers and acquisitions. Students, teachers and faculty adjusting to school mergers will face the same issues you face in the business sector. When you send people from one school to another, who have to think of it as a merger — or worse an acquisition. No one wants to be of thought of as being bought or sold.
Merger savings are generated on paper, but the true success of a merger is measured on how well people can adjust and perform. If people do not get along and work together, the merger will fail, and the savings will not be generated. Failure is not option. The State’s future is based solely on our ability to create a highly skilled, highly educated, highly productive work force. Education is what creates jobs for our State. Is there reason for concern that the mergers may fail?
Look no further than our own government. Look what happens every time we put Republicans and Democrats in the same house! How about UK and U of L fans on the same couch. They quickly list their differences, and fail to manage the issues. You cannot expect rival schools, which have competed against one another in the classroom and on the court to just forget the past, and move on as best of friends without intervention.
If we have to merge students and teachers, then we have to address the human issues that go in hand with merger and acquisition activity. We have to prepare everyone, and we have to begin the process now. Mindsets and expectations have to be established, and a plan set in motion to address the human issues.
As a suggestion, often times, when two companies merge they create a new name for the newly merged company as a way of starting anew. Perhaps we should consider this with our elementary schools, in naming them in honor of someone. Another suggestion would be that all schools be given a history lesson of New Albany-Floyd County schools, so that the can see how we have emerged and evolved over the years. Additionally, everyone could use a lesson or two in hospitality. After all, hospitality is the definition of a Hoosier.
Schools are more than bricks and mortar. Our schools are the pride and focus of our community. Schools shelter us from harm, they help us grow, and they help us live out our dreams. It’s where we create lifelong memories. We must do all that we can, to ensure the success of our schools.
