To the editor:
Until recently our school board has gone largely unnoticed because they understood their role and did it well. Our schools were considered very attractive to both students and teachers. Our district attracted the best of the best. Many teachers worked their entire career here because they felt trusted, supported and respected.
Unfortunately, that has changed. Since the emergence of the “Kids over Politics” movement, which ironically has brought politics and controversy into the conversation, it seems the current board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson and their followers have lost focus of, or not understood the role of the board. This has left teachers feeling unsupported, disrespected and not valued and many students feeling targeted and unsafe. This was clear in the feedback provided to the board during the community meeting on April 1st (which was not attended by the Chair or Vice-Chair).
The role of the school board is easily broken down into three jobs
1. Hire and supervise the superintendent
2. Develop and monitor the budget
3. Establish and monitor policies
You may notice that none of these jobs include undermining teachers, acting as though they were principals or curriculum directors by personally reviewing and evaluating instructional materials rather than overseeing the process by which qualified staff select curriculum, legislating student clubs, supervising
extracurriculars, removing signs, or serving only certain students.
Our public schools should be the crown jewel of our community where every student and staff member feels valued and safe. With the right leadership they can be. Please help re-elect Mark Zuzek and elect Kendal Larson and Melissa Kinneman on November 3rd to help accomplish this.
Sheri Fox
Hastings