Don't Care High by Gordon Korman

Author:Gordon Korman [Korman, Gordon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781443124515
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Published: 1985-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

But setting aside “Whither Sewage,” the effort was excellent, and everyone was agreed that Mike Otis was a brilliant student as well as a wonderful president.

Paul allowed himself a laugh as Sheldon called for a round of applause for Mike, but his laugh came out a nervous giggle. He had a deep, gut feeling that something would go wrong with “The Sewer System.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Mr. Morrison was undergoing the great crisis of his career. Ever since his arrival at Don Carey, he had been trying desperately to motivate the students. What did he get in return? An indifferent student body, and co-workers who laughed at him. He could still hear Mr. Gamble’s voice more than eight years ago — his first day at Don Carey — saying, “These kids can be difficult. Don’t beat your head against the wall.” And then, just a few short weeks later, “You’re beating your head against the wall.”

It was true. He could still feel those twinges of pain as all his valiant attempts to stimulate the students fizzled into nothing, one by one: the Yearbook Society, the Social Committee, Students for Don Carey, the Welcoming Committee. Even the General Interest Group had attracted no interest. He could hear the principal’s deep, mocking baritone announcing that yet another one of his projects had bitten the dust “due to lack of interest.” How many nights had he lain awake in his bed hatching brilliant schemes, only to have them fall victim to that relentless monster called “lack of interest?” He’d given so much of himself to Don Carey High, and what was his reward? Ridicule from the teachers, blank stares from students, a small fortune in analyst’s bills and a carload of unsold raffle tickets.

Now everything was different. The students were motivated and active. They finally had a purpose. And it was his job to tell them that they were wrong. The irony of it was driving him crazy. How many years had he prayed for the day when student activities would become more than an abstract concept? And yet, when that great day arrived, Arthur Morrison was on the other team.

Each morning his student suggestion box was full of politely worded requests for the reinstatement of the student body president. He had yet to see one slip of paper that dealt with any other topic. Each day, his appointment book was full, and at fifteen-minute intervals, he interviewed students who had come to guidance to express their frustration over the handling of the Otis affair. None would accept the clear and untarnished truth that Mike Otis had had nothing to do with his own candidacy.

Twenty-six hundred informed, motivated kids, taking an interest in student government through civilized and peaceful means — any guidance counsellor’s dream. It was within his grasp; so close, yet so far. So what if Mike never ran for president? He didn’t mind being president. If Gamble would just let him back into office, the possibilities with these students would be limitless! But no.

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