This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is not the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Something I tell all my staff members is, “Do what’s best for you.”
I’m not telling them to slack off on the job, but when certain decisions arise, I want them to choose what is best for them specifically. Not just to have a good work life-balance (what is that?), but to pick what is going to help put them in the best position possible.
Recently, Taylor Independent School District Superintendent Devin Padavil accepted a position as superintendent at the Georgetown Independent School District. This was most likely the best decision for him and his family. Not that he wanted to slight Taylor, but because he had an opportunity to move up, get better pay and support the people around him.
This is doing what’s best for you. Over the past several years, Taylor, not just the school district, but the city, has been a stepping stone for people to move on to bigger opportunities. Taylor is becoming a stay destination, but it’s not there just yet.
Eventually, Taylor will be the place people move to when they are doing what’s best for them. Whether it is a position at the school, the city or any other local job, Taylor will soon be a place where people want to come and build their lives.
I know there are people who left Taylor but didn’t want to, and I imagine they tried not to burn bridges and will stay in good standing with the community, just in case they have an opportunity to return in some capacity.
At the same time, there are people who came to Taylor and wanted out shortly after they arrived. While that situation is doing what’s best for you, you are also doing what’s best for everyone else, because if you don’t want to be here, then moving on opens the door for someone who does.
The bottom line is we have to respect when someone does something they feel is the right decision for them. On the surface, it may seem like it is a negative situation, but it could be a blessing for that person.
When someone sets a precedent and leaves shoes to fill, the person following can either live up to the legacy and do better, or take steps backwards and give people a reason to want them gone.
By the way, good superintendents usually only last two to three years at a district before they move on to a bigger district and payday. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about the students, it just means they may have a family they have to support, so they have to do what’s best for them.
It’s no wonder Georgetown ISD selected Padavil as its lone finalist. His career is on the rise and other districts have been paying attention. During his three years with Taylor, among other things, an $82 million bond issue passed, his choice in athletic director caused athletes went to the playoffs in droves and the district integrated vocational programs with Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now with a cliché: What’s good for the gander isn’t always good for the goose. Especially when you’re talking about the territorial geese in Taylor. Be careful because they will chase you to your car.
“Sometimes you have to be selfish to be selfless.”
— Edward Albert
