To the editor:

In considering the upcoming school board election it’s advisable to look at basic facts before making decisions on voting.  We are fortunate to have public schools that rank very high in a state that stands in the top tier nationally.  This results from our educators’ dedication to high standards, the community’s willingness to support their public schools, and a legacy of respect between our school board, the administration and professional staff.  We take pride in our district.   

In recent years, however, we have experienced a national trend toward disrupting the collegial relationship of school board, administration and professional staff, reminiscent of the “textbook and culture wars” of the early ‘70s.  The current movement’s claimed intent to put “children over politics” is patently false.  it is itself a political movement with a national organization behind it.  It has an agenda aimed at influencing our school curricula with more than just a hint of intolerance, as evidenced by their intent to remove books dealing LGBQT issues and the opposition to Critical Race Theory, among others.

Note that Critical Race Theory is not taught in our public schools, but is intended to offer a new perspective to American history, leading to better understanding of our society today.  And attempts to prohibit dealing with issues of sexual orientation and identity only promotes continuing ignorance and prejudice. 

A school board’s traditional role is to oversee the district’s fiscal operation and to hire leadership and professional staff, who in turn set curriculum and educational goals.  Those who promote the goals of groups like Moms for Liberty aim to disrupt that relationship which has produced the successful system we now have.  It is critical to vote for Matt Bruns, Mariah Ring, Brandy Wentzler and Matt Seeger to continue a tradition of educational excellence.

Diane & Dwight Smith