Ch. 4: The Courthouse and Alternative Dispute Resolution

When conflicts arise among people, it is always better to try to solve it in a peaceful and effective manner. When conflicts cannot be solved effectively, it can turn into a big dispute.

In chapter 4, Frank E. A. Saandner uses three concepts to examine disputes and their resolution: the dispute pyramid, the process spectrum, and inside-the court and outside-the-courthouse mechanisms.(pg. 43)

We recently experienced a dispute pyramid at work due to lack of communication among staff members. The principal made the decision to expand our preschool program in order to serve more children and increase the number of students since they have low numbers. Expanding included new room assignment for three classrooms in order to keep them grouped according to grade levels. Two of them were notified about the room changes and one was left out.

The principal, teachers and parents were excited to have more preschool children, yet one teacher refused to move because she had too many things and she was not willing to do it on her own time. She threatened to quit and was going to get the union involved because she thought that it was unfair for her to be asked to move during the school year. Rather than allowing her to go any further, the principal postponed the expansion until September.

Many families were devastated since they were hoping their children were going to have an opportunity to explore the school setting before starting Kindergarten. These parents now have a negative image about teacher’s being selfish and that they should comply to changes since they are supposed to be there for the children.

As I reflect about this matter, I think that some teacher’s were upset about the principal’s decision to expand without consulting the staff. They felt that as a school, they should be included in the decision making process since it affects everyone.