Why the School Board?
The changes in our lives in past 20 plus months have been beyond imagination. As a health care professional myself, the politicization of health care due to the Covid 19 crisis has been baffling. This has spilled over into all aspects of life, and is very evident with schools and how they have had to alter education plans. The students and parents, administration, and faculty have all been sorely tested. With the obvious fact that the health concerns are not being eradicated despite current strategies, it leaves the entire population to grapple with how to get back to as close to normal as possible in a healthy manner.
There is a wide distribution of opinions and ideas across this thought continuum. Many are fearful of the potential for illness or death, while others prefer a return to "normalcy" and are willing to "live their lives" despite the health concerns. Mandates and legislation have flown all directions across localities, states, the US, and internationally. While the narrative of mainstream media has focused on fear and control, many social media outlets have shown a large population of citizens that do not follow the narrative and follow an assortment of scientists with a variety of ideas. There has been an apparent attempt by the media to divide, be it over masking, injections, distancing, shut downs, race, etc..
On some social media and news outlets, great frustration with public education systems handling of the Covid era has been evident. Videos of parents very loudly notifying school boards and administrators of their displeasure have been rampant. As I write this, there is great dissension regarding masking, testing, distancing, quarantining of exposed but healthy students, and the mRNA injections.
On top of the issues themselves, an even greater concern is the manner in which information and ideas are being force fed or vehemently censored. It would appear there is one acceptable narrative and any alternative ideas are labeled mis- or dis-information. Since when are individual ideas snuffed out in the United States? What is it that is guaranteed as part of our first amendment? Oh yes, freedom of speech, among other things. Are our public schools still teaching about our founding documents? Why are these fundamental rights and freedoms suddenly being rigorously tromped upon?
With the increase in parent involvement in their children's education due to virtual learning, more and more parents have become highly aware of curriculum and social ideas that are being taught to their children. Many parents are significantly angered and appalled with particular subject matter being taught in public schools. In addition to the health issues, curriculum issues have risen into the awareness of parents and tax payers, most notably Critical Race Theory (CRT). While often not labeled in this way, the ideations have infiltrated many US school systems. A multitude of parents and other citizens are not accepting this without controversy and are instigating attempts to make a change. When asked privately, many teachers also reject these ideas, and many are quitting their teaching jobs because of this.
These are only a few of the concerns I see facing our education systems today. An underpinning to all of the above are the "lower than desirable" academic performances of Kansas schools when standardized test scores are evaluated. That is why my platform is to "get back to the basics". We need to refocus educational efforts on the foundations that will prepare student for successful lives. We need to kick "indoctrination" out in favor of spending time, energy, and our tax payers money on training up Kansas students to be self sufficient and productive citizens. We need to support quality teachers who are the "frontline heroes" where education is concerned. We need financial accountability, putting money into evidence based educational practices. Do I have a perfect plan to see that this happens? Absolutely not! But I do have the desire to put in effort and make a positive difference for the youth of our district!!