by Ed Sperry, Col. USAF (ret), Stevensville
Is there evidence that our Stevensville School Board is a bit above accepting input and scrutiny? What follows is not intended as an attack upon any member of the school staff or the School Board. I am wondering about what may be being taught, about school safety, about the nature of the budget, what’s in the library, are the basics of math, reading, writing, and civics (whatever that is now called) being given priority?
The issue is BACK TO BASICS and SECURITY. Simply put, many of us are concerned. We want to assure that our school budgets and resources are supporting a curriculum dedicated to teaching the BASICS and SECURITY. Surely we don’t want a curriculum devoted to WOKE ideas such as Critical Race Theory, equity, victimhood, or gender confusion. The actions and governing philosophy of the School Board will determine what course the Stevensville schools will follow. Surely this is of concern to all of us, not just the dedicated achievers with an agenda and the parents of current students.
There are several candidates for the Board in the forthcoming May 2nd election. The Bitterroot Star can be counted upon to provide interviews with each candidate. This is a vital service but can’t expose those inner convictions that govern the approach to issues. That takes some exposure to debate and queries from varied concerned citizens.Some kind of public forum is needed.
Back to arrogance. The last time the Stevensville school held an election the school asked me to conduct a public forum. What an honor! It was a real shock when I was directed to not allow questions from the attendees. Apparently the Board did not want to hear your concerns or suggestions. Arrogance? Lack of transparency? Something to hide? Meanwhile the Board at Lone Rock encouraged questions when I conducted a similar forum at their request.
There has been little interest in school safety. This is hard to understand at a time when school invasions are happening. As I write this, my TV is devoted to covering the school massacre at the Nashville Christian school. Does anyone actually think this can’t happen here? We prepare for fires and they are not common. Why not prepare for the shooter? The Sheriff has recently surveyed the school’s security. He found that the present security ranges from minimal part time to non-existent.
Recently, Elsie Arntzen, the elected head of the Office of Public Instruction, visited our school. She took questions and sought to explain various current school issues. Nearly 70 folks attended and there were certainly many questions asked. She spoke in the school gym and we had to search for a microphone for this lady to be heard. Only about one half of the School Board attended, but they did hold a board meeting immediately following her visit. Essentially, she was ignored. It appeared to be a deliberate snub. It was as if her visit didn’t matter. I guess the only use for the Office of Public Instruction is to write checks.
The rules for conduct at a Board meeting are rather fascinating. They allow someone to speak for 3 minutes before a meeting.They don’t have to listen.
There, I got this off my chest. In summary, this community has recently provided a marvelous physical campus. Now let’s be concerned about what is going on within those walls that are hard for us to individually penetrate. We must trust the School Board. We need wisdom, dedication to the basics, and above all the guts to either defend or create a learning experience that prepares our youth to compete and contribute. Time is of the essence. Perhaps some community organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Masons, American Legion could accept the challenge and arrange a community forum to immediately follow the Bitterroot Star publication of interviews. The old adage is still applicable–you will get the kind of School Board you deserve.