Last Friday I attended the SETPAC candidate forum for school Districts 2 and 4. The incumbents were fresh out of anything new to say. We need more money, the discipline problems aren’t as bad as they’ve been reported, we have a plan. These are the offerings of elected officials who have, quite frankly, given up on the situation.
Most of us know that the money fairy has left the building. Most of us know that sweeping discipline problems under the rug doesn’t make them go away. Most of us know that a plan doesn’t necessarily mean a solution. A 2011 Plan was referenced. My question: what happened to 2008, 2007, 2006, etc.?
The forum attendees were told that the private school system pulled children out of the public school system. Pulled? Or pushed out of the public school system? I strongly suspect both forces are at work. How many parents would have rather not have to pay twice for their children’s education, through taxes and tuition? How many tax increases are enough? When will fiscal responsibility and problem solving become the norm in Hamilton County as opposed to tax, tax, spend, spend? Who is going to stand up and say, “You know what, if we roll up our sleeves and go to work, we can do a better job. We can put the money where it does the most good. We see problems and we welcome the opportunity to use our time, experience, and common sense to put our school system ‘Back on Track’.” Joe Dumas and Gregg Juster, the challengers in district 2 and 4 respectively, are willing and able to take on these challenges.
In closing I would like to make one final point. “Back on Track” is a bona fide grassroots movement. It isn’t manufactured by a public relations firm. It is a steadily growing group of citizens who have had it with the status quo. The so-called “back room” that has been referenced in erroneous op ed pieces is not a back room at all. It is a living room in one home, a kitchen in another home, a dining room table in yet another. It is conversations in parking lots, grocery stores, and sidewalks. It is neither partisan nor is it restricted to Districts 2 and 4 (we all have a dog in this fight, no matter what our address may be.) We may have differences of opinion on some issues but the one thing that unifies us all is a desire to see a more effective school system.
Melissa Cantrell
Treasurer
Joes Dumas for School Board
Mcantr23@Comcast.net
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"Tax, tax, spend, spend...oh, what an alarming trend."
By golly, I wish I'd thought that one up.
I need an Alka-Seltzer, then chocolate.
Royce E. Burrage, Jr.
Royce@OfficiallyChapped.org