Freezoned High School

The stories concern a typical suburban, public high school. Typical is the operative word. Tax money poured into it, extraordinary services provided, acclaimed educators hired, spectacular facilities produced, resources, like computers and laboratory equipment acquired, extra-curricular activities created, yet, the outcome: academic failure, violence, drugs, gangs, and, drop-out rates approaching fifty percent. Why?

The author of these stories worked as a Substitute Teacher in suburban schools like Freezoned High School for years. In that capacity, I dealt with everyone from office staff to the Assistant Principals and Principal to the Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, teachers, aides and assistants, and parents. As the Substitute, I was the impartial outsider who wandered the hallways and classrooms to observe their comings and goings.