Not too many years ago if you had asked me how I felt about blogging, I would have answered, “What’s a blog?”

The word has entered the language and the activity has entered my workweek. Three months ago I started a superintendent’s blog on our school district website ([ http://www.fairfieldcityschools.com ]www.fairfieldcityschools.com). It provides me a forum to write about our schools or about education in general. It also offers a way for readers to respond with their own thoughts.

It’s been a learning experience for me. I’ve learned which topics will draw large responses and which ones don’t. I’ve also learned that many people in our community have very strong opinions on certain subjects.

I try and post at least one new entry every week. They do take some time to write and I have quite a lot else to do. I do read all the responses that come in (that part is much easier than the writing) and they’ve been valuable to me to help understand how others perceive an issue. I can’t reply to all the readers’ responses, but I do try to reply to some, especially if they sum up what others are saying or asking.

I’ve learned the pitfalls of writing about certain topics. I posted one item recently about the idea of paying students for good grades. A Harvard researcher found it had a positive effect on academic achievement. I never suggested we were planning to do it, or that were considering it, or anything like that. But I guess my closing line in that post: “I think he might be on to something. What do you think?” led readers to believe we were ready to adopt the idea. I got blasted.

The blog is moderated, which means that the comments have to be approved before they’re posted on the website. We have denied very few. When we do, it’s usually because of either profanity, or personal attacks on employees or others.

I don’t mind taking the heat for decisions I’ve made…it goes with the territory. If you take a look through the blog, you’ll see that we don’t shirk from allowing critical comments. I do wish that along with the criticism, more responses would also contain suggestions or alternatives. Some do, but not many. I’m also curious why so few people are willing to sign their names. When I read comments posted by blog readers, I know that I give a little more weight to those that are signed.

I’ve been surprised by the number of responses that come from students. They were among the few people who saw merit in the idea of paying for good grades. Just like adults, they have a range of ideas and opinions. (It’s their spelling that causes me the most concern.)

I’m getting more comfortable with blogging. But I don’t think I’m ready to start tweeting yet. It’s fascinating how communication is changing so fast.

Published in the Fairfield Echo, May 6, 2010.