Buddhist Homeschooling

Sep. 6, 2006

Board of Education

I had to post this as soon as I got home from my local ED Board of Education meeting. The last BOE meeting discussed k-8th grade in one building. That meeting aired and I was fortunate enough to catch it. I was reeling in my seat! How could they think that a 14 yr old should be in the same schools as a 5 yr old?! I decided then and there to attend the next meeting - which is the one I just returned home from. I was pleased to hear the community was also against it and spoke out loud and clear. I got a chance to do some speaking as well, and as soon as I mentioned HSing, the ears magically switched off.

I told them I had elected to HS because of their negative image (proximity to Detroit was mentioned, but not by me), substandard curriculums, and that in the 3 yrs I've lived in the area, I've heard nothing positive about the schools from neighbors and friends in the district. I didn't manage to say it that elloquently, but I tried. When I sat down, I came up with a few more points regarding their PR - my mailbox was full of other brochures and postcards from other districts inviting me to enroll there - playground equipment (or appearance of grounds), and foreign language being offered in other area schools outside the district.

However, I didn't get that far, as when I was up there again, the chairman said something to the effect of 'we don't have time for you, there are others who wish to make a statement, sit back down.' And if you ask me, it wasn't stated as elloquently here either, it was rather rudely stated, but we'll not make fools of them at present.

I DID wait until nearly the end, and when I went up, there were only 2 other people there, and they were ahead of me. AFTER I stood up again, 2 lined up behind me, which is neither here nor there, but I'm thinking to myself "Fine, don't hear my last points. Screw your district should I ever need to PS my kid! I'd rather go to a more friendly district." I also thought "It's because I said I HS, isn't it?" Like we're not capable of sending our kids to PS someday? What kind of impression does that send to the community at large anyhow?! I'm fine with wanting to get the meeting over, but not fine with the shortness of temper showed by what should have been a community leader.

Here's my thought - and if I were 'King of the World,' this is how I would run things: Hear out all sides of an arguement. Perhaps the BOE could have persuaded me to enroll my child in kindergarden had they addressed and/or heard my concerns. As it stands, they really spoke in such a rude and disrespectful manor, I would now NEVER send my child to the ED district.

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Comments

Sep. 7, 2006 - Public Schools

Posted by cryskey

It's been my experience that they just want our money, and for us to stay home and keep our mouth shut about how they educate our children. That is until they have trouble with them, and then it's all about how the parents weren't involved enough. Regardless, as a taxpayer, you are entitled to your opinion. The school district where we live has pre-k - 3rd in one, 4-th - 6th in another, then 7th & 8th, and then 9th-12th. Our district is actually pretty good, but it's only a matter of a year or so and I'm sure it'll be like all the rest around here.

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Sep. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by RollsLife

Isn't the BOE grand? LOL, I just *love* working with them. (I hope the sarcasm is obvious here.) Glad to hear you were still trying to fight the good fight for the community although it doesn't directly effect your own children.

Good for you on signing up for Dr Phil's show. I didn't sign up simply because I believe some other homeschool parent will be able to speak more eloquently than I. Do you have any idea what Dr Phil's opinion of homeschooling is?

Thanks for leaving the beliefnet.com site on my blog. I have checked that one out before, it's really good. I took the quiz once also although I can't remember what it labeled me as. :)

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About Me

Buddhist/Christian Homeschooling family trying to get a handle on all the newness that comes along with being a first time homeschooler with values not reflected in the majority of my city!