I agree with Kevin Trainor, god-forbid, to a point. We need to wake up and be real that politics are played out at a school board level.
But, I believe that while little p politics should be played out at the school board level, I believe that big P Party politics should stay the hell out of the Board of Education. When members of the Board of Education are beholden to a particular party's mantra of education, their hands are tied when it comes to exploring options that will benefit the students that fall outside the circumscribed boundaries of the political parties. I happen to agree with many of the standpoints of the DFL on what should and should not happen in terms of educational policy. For example, I believe that vouchers are a cop-out and a way used by many Republicans (and other conservatives) to further divide us along race and class lines. I believe that the federal government has a responsibility to promote and provide monies for education since education is the foundation for any informed citizenry. Leaving education solely in the hands of the states generates results such as the public education systems in Texas, North Carolina, and much of the rest of the South and West. But, while I support unions and the rights of unions to look out for the common welfare of district employees, I believe that teachers should be competent and any teacher that fails to perform should, perhaps, think of another career. Tenure shouldn't mean untouchable. I believe in providing a livable wage to all school district employees, but district employees that make more than I do with less education and responsibility should perhaps be re-evaluated. The Board of Education has enough to deal with in terms of real life politics, that it doesn't need to be the grinding stone and dart board for Party Politics and Party Maneuvering. I believe members of the Board of Education should be limited in terms of time served on the board, and I believe that Board of Education members should be elected based on their goals and agenda for reform and excellence in the schools. I know of several candidates in this election cycle and the last that are/were hoping to use the Board of Education as a stepping stone to a career in politics. Those candidates are the ones who may have a passing care for the education of students in Minneapolis, but they, I believe, are the ones who do the most harm while on the Board. That is, largely, because their interest lies in towing the party line, so when it comes down to endorsement for the next office, they'll have it in the bag. Just as bad as the fly-by board members are the board members in perpetuity. If you haven't been able to effect any real change in the last 20 years...perhaps you should move over and make space for those with ideas that are more in touch with the world as it is today. I do believe that party politics should play a part in all other elections, city council, mayor, etc. Bring your politics to the Board of Education, but leave your Politics at home. -Brandon Lacy Campos -Powderhorn Park W. Brandon Lacy Campos Coordinator of Development and Fundraising Rethinking Tourism Project 366 N. Prior Avenue, Suite 203 St. Paul, MN 55104 651-644-9984 (phone) 651-644-2720 (fax) 612-432-7846 (cell) [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.rethinkingtourism.org _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
