To the editor:
Just a year ago, who would have dreamed we’d be fighting for our children’s education. Yet here we are, in a battle for our children’s right to attend in-person school. Imploring for the right to CHOOSE to send our children to more in-person days of attendance while others have the right to CHOOSE remote learning. It is a disappointment on so many levels when politics and personal opinion rule decisions made for taxpayers and parents. It’s tugging at this community’s core values.
You can certainly have your opinion. You may not choose to send your child back for more in-person days of attendance, but you have that choice. Our teachers have a choice–apply for medical leave, teach or take unpaid leave. Everyone has a choice here except our families who can’t send their children to school for full attendance. Demographically similar schools are doing it right now. And they’re doing it successfully–Morton, Dunlap, Monticello and many more. Ensue the gaslighting–I can hear all the stakeholders now. Monticello isn’t as big. No they’re not, but when you take their school population and their building sizes into consideration, then their capacity and ability to abide by social distancing recommendations is very similar. It’s population density and it’s common sense.
I am acutely aware people surround themselves with like-minded individuals. I have many people who tell me they want their children back in school for more in-person days. I’m sure our BOE members and Dr. Hall have people tell them they don’t. So let’s cut to the chase. Another survey of M-S parents of school children is in order and it’s past due. Survey the parents, the taxpayers, in an unbiased, clearly worded manner and then be transparent. Use the results to forge our path. Our children deserve it.
Respectfully,Nikki Gallier
