Top Three Priorities

By Adrienne Dickinson

Quality education includes art, music, global awareness, geography, writing, reading, literature, mathematics, science, health, history, physical fitness, applied arts, and social skills. Art and music are core subjects and cannot be cut without producing a deprived experience for students. As well as encouraging students to become active in their communities, perhaps school boards can encourage citizens to put pressure on legislators and executives at state and federal levels to fully fund education. We pay enough taxes, but budgets need to prioritize education.

The collaborative model for addressing problems is a good model for school boards. Each person brings his/her own field of expertise and shares equally in the discussion. Problems are identified, solutions are brainstormed, and decisions are made with consensus. A school board needs expertise in the fields of law and finance, but also needs expertise in the field of education itself. Having an experienced and current teacher on the school board, a teacher from another district, who has taught in many areas and with many types of students, brings a valuable perspective and knowledge base to the board decisions.