Criticism vs. Activism

One thing a Trump presidency has brought about is activism.  Not near as much activism as criticism but hey, it is a start.  Lets face it, it is very easy to criticize.  You can see it everywhere we go.  All complaints and no solutions or offers to solve problems.  Our campaigns are geared around criticizing.  Knowing who to blame for your real or imaginary problem is how you get elected and more and more this is a reality for the electoral process.  Let's see how the Democrats respond.

I know I have complained about Betsy DeVos and been critical of her nomination more than once.  It is easy to dig up the news stories on her plans for the department of Education.  We are all frightened right now but have you seen what is actually in print where it counts?  On February 7, 2017 HB 899 was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Thomas Massie (R).  Simply put, it seeks to abolish the department of Education.

I won't lie, my first feeling was jubilation thinking that Secretary DeVos would not be on the job long.  But then I stopped myself.  Do people know what the Department of Education actually does?  If they did, activism would surely take the place of criticism.  Lets review.  Here are some major functions of the DOE:

• Provides financial aid for undeserved or vulnerable populations. (Title I and special education funding)
• Collects and provides education data for schools and researchers.
• Identifies educational issues and guides state leaders.
• Funds and operates a huge student loan system that makes a college education possible to many.

Since Reagan, Republicans have sought to end the DOE.  This has largely been a debate of whether or not the federal government should be involved in a state function.  The 1996 party platform actually claimed that the federal government is meddling in family matters.  Sure we argue over many things that are probably state's right issues but if we want to compare our kids to the rest of the world, the federal government must have a stake in education.  If we look at the numbers and agree that the amount of money we spend signals our priority in that thing, we simply do not value education as we say we do (see below).  On paper we do not show we value education or we are not willing to invest in it.

Our new priority should be activism towards protecting educational opportunities for all children.  As long as we engage in continual criticism of the Trump administration, Congress will work to erode all we hold dear.  I'm sure some of us don't mind some of the accountability measures being repealed, but let's not be distracted and keep our eye on the ball.  If we are willing to defend education at the national level, then we should create our own game to play.  Stop complaining and get mobilized.

School Board Elections

When I was the principal at Elverado High School, I had a parent come see me asking about school boards.  In short, she was asking how one gets on the school board.  I very much respected this family.  Both parents worked hard and contributed around the school.  Their kids were great students and participated in school activities.  I respected this mom so much that I may have talked her out of picking up a petition.  That was certainly not my intention but when I asked her if she had ever been to a board meeting, she said she had not.  I encouraged her to attend several board meetings, possibly up to a year's worth.  I told her this because I don't think most people know how complicated it actually is to serve on a school board.

School Board elections are approaching and the yard signs and ads are going up.  But what can you look for in a prospective board member for a position that most people do not understand?  I have watched my boards closely and I can say that I have been lucky to work with boards that have treated me well.  I have noticed personal qualities of members that make them more and less effective when big decisions are made.  I would like to offer some things to look for in your candidates this season that will help you make a casting your ballot a little easier.

• Good board members are listeners and learners - They do not have to know everything.
• Good board members are successful in their chosen profession.
• Good board members do not need to be boastful of what they want to accomplish.
• Good board members know that they are making decisions for our kids and families, and not just for their kids and families.

If this is too much to for you to take on, simply check their personal social media pages.  Or even better, look at this code of conduct for board members from the Illinois Association of School Boards.  Can the candidate honor this?

The point of this post is that even though these campaigns are not high dollar ones, they have a huge impact on you locally.  I was once told that school boards spend four minutes on a $4 million budget but four hours on a $4,000 coach.  In my experience this is very true.  You should also be aware of the many different votes that board members take.  Sure they hire and fire people but they also enter into contractual agreements, raise and lower taxes, set school building policy and may have to expel a student here and there.  When you step into the booth on April 4th, be sure you vote for those who represent the values of the the community you live in.  Hopefully, those values will enter the board room and we are represented as we should be.  Happy voting!