A little rant

I'm the President of the Parents' Association at Lumsden Elementary - actually I share the responsibilities with another capable mother. I also sit on the High School Council as a parent volunteer. And I have to say, unequivocably, how disappointed I am with our educational system. I believe it to be an archaic, old boys' club that is becoming less and less concerned with student development and more and more concerned with the bottom line. We have some exceptional teachers who are working in deplorable conditions with incredibly limited resources in over-filled classrooms. Then we have teachers who shouldn't be teaching any child but continue, year after year, to be given responsibility to mold and shape young minds.

Our Parents' Association raises funds each year for reading material, textbooks, math manipulatives and other things that are basic needs of any school but no longer provided for in budgets. Appointments to positions of leadership are made without any competition, little evaluation is done of administrations, teachers have next to no recourse if they have difficulties with their administrator, teamwork is not championed and facilities are not upgraded. (I know - we had a roof that leaked for 7 years at our school).

Several of us had a conversation about this last night and I felt so badly that I feel good about my kids leaving this system. How awful is that? One friend suggested the only way to effect change was to get TV coverage and stand in the rotunda at the leg building as many have done in regards to the failing health care system.

I have a tremendous respect for teachers who continue to go to their classrooms each day because they believe in what they are doing and love their students. I know a bunch of teachers like this and I have tried in my position as President to do what I can to protect them, thank them and, in some small way, make their work easier.

Sorry - this turned out to be more than just a "little rant". But I'm frustrated as many are and had hoped to make a greater change for the good in these past years. Now, in the last six weeks before I leave, I will do what I can to make my voice heard. I will, once again, call the chairman of the board of ed and the director of ed for our division to express my dismay.

If you are in the same camp as I am, I hope you will do the same.