School Board Meeting Tonight: A Few Notes

As I watched the board meeting today, an agenda item honored the district’s efforts to expand “Virtual School” opportunities, which are online classes for high school students. Most of these classes are directed at home schoolers, home-bound students, or any student needing an “extra” class for graduation.

Certainly, Virtual School students need a home computer and the basic skills to effectively use that computer. All of which gives me a thought. How many board members know how to use a computer, how to actually read, write, and return email…..or how to use the basic Word platform to generate text? After all, all board members are tasked to approve vast technology purchases.

As I believe most newspapers lazy when vetting candidates, I also believe computer skills and knowledge a requirement of any endorsement.

For Those True Believers

If you had enough stomach and cocktails and stayed until the Parents Against Cell Towers (PACT) spoke in numbers, you are a true believer. I tend to describe these same folks as Citizens Rebelling Against Progress (CRAP). Most of these speakers wore t-shirts supporting their cause. All even seemed well-groomed and showered. Good for them.

Each parent indeed seemed sincere. Chairwoman Kurdell was great at making each welcome and comfortable. I just have the feeling, though, these same parents still think the China Syndrome possible and cows need to be hugged, not used for a Bern’s ribeye.

Another Point

I have always believed that board members should set an example for students. Once again, my old friend Susan Valdes appeared on the dais with cleavage exposed. For sure, this ain’t the first time for the woman who once said about student dress: “I don’t want to see not butts, boobs, or bellies.”

She is such a hoot. But how can a board member with no sense of appropriate dress have any sense of appropriate oversight?

Last Point

Former local government administrator and Middleton High School activist Fred Hearn is my hero. He’s suggested more ways to advance graduation rates at Middleton than the district. Gotta love Fred!

posted by admin @ 6:22 PM