Today was the first day I have read my local newspaper in a long time. When I say a long time, I mean a LOOOONG time. While I was looking through the paper there was one story that jumped out at me. It is called "Is there any interest in our school?", it was written by Gary W. Meyer, and it is in Big Lake's newspaper called "The Tribune". It caught my attention because I went to Big lake high school and I thought the article would be dealing with the high school. After I started reading it though I realized it was dealing with this past local election and the lack of persons who wanted to be elected onto the school board elections. Now, I knew that the kids who had to go to the Big Lake schools hated it, but I didn't know that the people living in Big Lake didn't even want to deal with the schools :)
"Everybody and their uncle registered as a candidate for the two council positions. Hardly anybody registered for the three school board positions. Nine persons signed up for the council jobs. Three signed up for the three school jobs," reported by Gary. It then went on saying that the school jobs should be more important to people. "They get to over-see a 32 million dollar budget, hundreds of employees, and programs that affect 4,000 local kids and their families." That to me sounds much better than the duties of the elected officials of city jobs. "The city jobs as important as they are, often amount to where neighbors' fences go, recycling issues, and regulating whereabouts of manhole covers in the streets."
This article just opened my eyes to the people in my community. Some people may be intimidated and scared with the duties of a school board member, but just think of how rewarding it would be to help the future of the schools in this small, but growing, community. If I had to choose between helping my future kids and grandkids and making sure I know where the manholes are on the streets, the choice is obvious. After reading this article, it has made me sort of think that maybe one day I would like to run for a school board position.
--Jamie Groth--
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I liked your post because it dealt with an actual news article that is recent. You chose to write on something that is important to you and you incorporated some of the "Seven Knowledge Keys for Covering a Community". Good job!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to read how the news article sparked your thoughts on the importance of your school, and potential reasons why residents aren't running for the school board positions. To me, it was effective when the last paragraph referenced the reporter's quote about the manholes. It tied the ned up nicely.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really nice article to read about because it made me think. I considered the possibilities that not a lot of people take part in any high school activities with the education in my own community and that's something we can't ignore. We must keep participating in the welfare of our kids because they are the future of our nation.
ReplyDeleteGreat job picking an interesting topic and putting your opinion into it as well! Like stated in the first post, you also used some of the 7 key things for reports on communities. Way to go =D
ReplyDeleteJamie
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. You have touched upon the paradox -- and flaw -- of a democratic society by looking at a very local expression of our reluctance to step up and take responsibility.
Rich
This was a really touching post.
ReplyDeleteA great post on a very relevant topic! It’s sad and frustrating to know that we are placing so little importance in the scholastic success of younger generations across the whole nation. I applaud your sense of commitment to the future of your community and your willingness to someday put yourself in a position to take action in a failing school system!
ReplyDeletevery interesting
ReplyDelete