A little light amid all the political chaos

by Ed Sperry, Col USAF (ret), Stevensville

Maybe it would be worthwhile to reflect upon some really good work being done by the Stevensville School Board. It seems that we only hear about school boards when there is a crisis. Thanks to their work there will be no school board election on May 6th in Stevensville. Three positions were up for election and no one filed against them. Let me mention some of the work the board has accomplished. We all should care as the education of our youth is important to everyone whether you have kids in school or not.

Thanks to the work of Dan Mullen, Tony Hudson, Ben Meyer and Stephanie Esch, the changes I will mention have been implemented or are being set up.

There now is a line item budget. Believe it or not, this management tool was missing!

We have finally figured out that everyone does not need to go to college. Unfortunately the curriculum has paid no attention to the training needs of the trades which make our society work. The board is well along on creating a curriculum change which will interface the school with local businesses and other educational systems. This will allow our youth to be exposed to the various trades which are daily at work making our valley society work. Changes are coming at an ever increasing rate. This curriculum addition is vital. 

Public awareness of major decisions should be encouraged. When a new superintendent was recently needed the board made what I think was a novel and important step to allow public participation. First the candidates for the position were identified in the Star and provisions were made for a public “meet and greet” at the school. Questions were encouraged and the session was well attended. That’s sure a different way of selection than I’ve ever encountered. Such daylight can only result in a better school and community interface.

Finally I think there has been a dedicated effort for the board to increase contact with the student body. I recently obtained a copy of the first Stevensville High School Student Council – Student body – report to the school board. It’s a new internal communication attempt by the board. Wow! That place is alive and moving on! That student body is busy. The shared knowledge can only result in better curriculum development and support. Maybe there is a way the gist of this report could be made routinely available to the public. I mean folks other than just the Boosters.

You may say “ho hum,” does all this matter? I can only remind folks that we are currently, nationwide, paying one hell of a price to correct our school systems. We are reaping the result of not paying attention to what our kids were being exposed to.

I can only say thank God for the folks I listed. Let’s support them and let them keep marching.