Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen Page B

smiled. Someone had suggested that kids determine and enforce the dress code. Another suggestion was to start a newspaper so kids could be heard. He liked the suggestion of students meeting to help solve problems like vandalism and bullying. One idea Cole liked almost as much as his own was the suggestion that teachers be graded by students. Some teachers were a joke and had no clue how to teach. They demanded respect instead of earning it. Some classes were so boring, kids deserved extra credit for staying awake.
    The problem was that you couldn’t flunk a teacher. Cole had heard it was nearly impossible to fire teachers once they’d taught for a while. And if teachers couldn’t be fired, what good would it do to flunk them? Maybe just posting the teachers’ grades would help. But they would never allow that either. Some teachers were like bullies—they could dish it out but they couldn’t take it.
    Cole glanced one more time over the list. Hopefully, changing the mascot from a bulldog to a Spirit Bear wasn’t just a dumb idea.
    That afternoon, Ms. Kennedy called another assembly. She spoke bluntly. “I heard a lot of big ideas Friday,” she said. “Now it’s time to put up or shut up.” She held up the list. “Each suggestion has a number.” She pointed out to the gym floor, where eighteen teachers were each holding a large cardboard number. “Pick a change you want to see, and when I give the word, go in an orderly manner to that number. The teachers will help you organize and elect a student leader. Then it will be up to you personally to work with your team to come up with a concrete plan to try and make your favorite suggestion become a reality.”
    Ms. Kennedy examined the gym full of students. “This is all about change,” she said. “Today we’ll see how badly you want it. I’ll fight to help you, but only if you fight, too.” With that, students spilled from the bleachers to find their groups.
    “I thought you said this was a dumb idea,” Cole said, when Peter joined the others who wanted to change the mascot.
    Peter grinned. “I had to come and see how dumb.”
    Cole looked around. Nearly two hundred students had gathered near his number. Theirs was the largest group. As smaller groups moved out of the gym, the mascot group remained behind in the bleachers with Mr. Brame, the band instructor.
    “You have picked probably the hardest task,” said Mr. Brame. “It’s not easy changing a mascot. Besides financial costs, you’ll need approval from the school district. That won’t be easy, given the number of alumni who fondly remember their days here as Bulldogs. But, unless somebody has cold feet, let’s get going. Are there any nominations for a group leader?”
    A tenth-grade girl with a long ponytail said, “Because Cole Matthews met the Spirit Bear and made the suggestion, I nominate him.”
    The whole group responded with applause and agreement. Cole looked around desperately, but no additional nominations were made.
    “Okay, then,” said Mr. Brame. “If there are no further nominations, I propose that Cole Matthews be elected as leader of your committee to change the mascot from a bulldog to a Spirit Bear. All those in favor, say aye.”
    The whole group shouted, “Aye!”
    Cole wanted to shout no! at the top of his lungs, but this
had
been his idea.
    Mr. Brame turned to Cole. “It looks like you’re now the leader. I’m turning it over to you.”
    Cole panicked as the bleacher full of students turned and stared at him. He stood up and worked his way down to the floor of the gym, where he could face the whole group. “Uh, I’ve never done anything like this before,” he stammered, looking around. “I’ll do my best, and if nobody minds, I’d like to appoint Peter Driscal as my assistant. He has seen the Spirit Bear, too.”
    Peter blinked with surprise, then jumped to his feet and rushed down. He stood beside Cole with his shoulders squared.
    Cole looked up into the