Saturday, September 1, 2007

Talkin bout a Revolution

Background: I was moved to write this letter after a local student was suspended for wearing a coat and tie to school. The newspaper declined to publish it although I received a very nasty email from the opinion editor. He is another good friend of the school board member mentioned above.

http://naplesnews.com/news/2007/aug/23/golden_gate_high_school_student_gets_school_suspen/

September 1, 2007

Another Editorial You Won't be Reading in the Naples Daily News

Dear Editor;

Now that the Baker vs. Thompson feud has been settled by the School Board, it’s time to look forward toward improvement. What a wonderful time it would be to involve the students in the process by giving them representation on the School Board. After all, with the number of AP tests they are passing, many have more college education then some sitting School Board members earning $36,000 a year for the privilege.

The School Board is preparing for Board Policy workshops. The ability of the School Board to complete a “comprehensive and thorough review of its policies and operations” will determine the prestigious District Accreditation as a Quality School System from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI.) The accreditation team will be returning in the Fall to see if the School Board responded “adequately and effectively” to their recommendations.

The School Board has contracted Neola, Inc. to facilitate these workshops. They have come under scrutiny from various organizations including the Student Press Law Center and many open record law advocates. Their broiler plate templates are often contested in court. These workshops will set the tone for Collier schools in the future.

Maybe it’s time for the students to Save Our Schools, since the adults haven’t done such a good job over the last decade. They’ve already proven they know more about the AP issues and can exceed at dress codes. I would sign their petition. As Thomas Jefferson said, “Every generation needs a new revolution.”