I would like to remind the Collier County School Board

I would like to remind the Collier County School Board that the stakeholders (taxpayers, parents and Collier residents) are above ALL of you on the District’s organizational chart.  The elected board members all ran on their commitments to improve education in our community and EACH of you swore an oath to uphold the Constitution.  Each board member represents the STAKEHOLDERS of this county.  The Board does not represent the Superintendent.  The Board does not represent the District’s Lawyer, and the Board does not represent the District’s Staff.  The board (that body situated BELOW the public on the District’s organizational chart) has delegated certain responsibilities to its Superintendent, Dr. Patton, who is situated below the Board on that same chart. 

In recent years, unfortunately, the organizational chart has turned upside down.  Today, we have District staff steering the ship, effectively positioning themselves over the board and the stakeholders.  How has the Administration accomplished this you ask? 

First and foremost, when elected sitting Board members request workshops, the Board members should be directing the workshop, NOT an unelected Superintendent or her staff.  When elected sitting Board members ask to bring in outside experts with decades of experience armed with volumes of research on the damaging effects of High-Stakes testing, that request MUST be honored.  Further, when a parent requests additional time to publicly present his or her findings as they relate to High-Stakes testing and faulty curriculum matters, that parent MUST be afforded the opportunity to do so.  In no case should District staff be empowered to vet ANY parent or outside expert that a sitting board member wants to hear from in this chamber.

Second, with the approval of this board, District staff has developed and implemented policies which infringe on the public’s ability to direct the Board; saying things like “those are operational issues” and claiming that neither the public nor the Board should be interfering with the Superintendent in the exercise of her duties. Neither the Board nor the Superintendent has the right or power to create policy which interferes with the stakeholders’ ability to fulfill their position at the TOP of the organizational chart.  The education of our children is the parent’s responsibility.  Just because we delegate these duties to the Board and Superintendent, that DOES NOT mean that we have given you the power to lord over us.  WE are the stakeholders.  WE are the parents of the children we have entrusted into your care.  WE are the citizens who have elected and hired you to do OUR bidding. 

It is time that the Board, Superintendent, Attorney and Staff of this District START doing what the citizens want.  It is high time for those we’ve hired to STOP doing what THEY want in OUR schools and with OUR children.

The Biggest Problem with Common Core

The biggest problem with Common Core is that it teaches kids exactly WHAT they must think, NOT how to think logically, independently, and critically. Rather than teach basic objective facts (the building blocks of thought, logic, deductive reasoning, and inventiveness), Common Core materials attempt to brainwash children to all think and believe the same opinions, and instill in them the same political outlook.

The high stakes tests ensure that no one goes past prescribed check points unless identical answers are regurgitated by all. This is essentially a modern day reeducation camp. Only the 'successful' will move on to the next phase. This guarantees uniformity in thought, skill level and goals for all. However, it inhibits creativity, individuality and a spirit of inventiveness and risk. All will be suited for mediocrity and sameness. Differences in thought and opinion will be snuffed out, and along with that, exceptional-ism and individuality will be lost.

The answer to this problem is to go back to local control for variety, and to have the freedom to tailor educational techniques to individuals or/and local needs and cultures. To bring out excellence and creativity, developing each person to their highest potential, we must institute what previously was called a 'classical liberal arts education.' This kind of education promotes critical thinkers, and allows for individual creativity and thought. This kind of education was responsible for forming the greatest minds throughout history. 

Getting back to the basics is the best way to build a solid foundation for the future, and the only way for each individual to reach his potential.

Enough is Enough

It has been just five months since Collier County elected two school board members who have skin in the game.  Kelly Lichter and Erika Donalds are two young mothers with children in the public school system. They are both well educated and supremely qualified to serve the students and constituents of Collier County.  Mrs. Donalds is a Certified Public Accountant and partner at a local Accounting Firm. She is an active opponent of high-stakes testing and Common Core.  Mrs. Lichter is the founding board president of the first Hillsdale College public charter school in Florida, Mason Classical Academy, and president of the Southwest Florida Conservative Coalition. These ladies were elected by the voters because they believe in public education, and have dedicated their talents and passions towards improving it.

Since their election, the radical left-wing ideologues have attacked them for speaking out against politically biased and historically inaccurate instructional materials. They have been criticized for exposing the pervasive corruption at the administration.  The liberals in charge at the district offices and their minions have actively campaigned against them using district resources (which is illegal by the way).  It is understandable, in a perverse sort of way, that these statists would be so defensive.  After all, they have been in charge of "educating" our children for years, and they often earn six figure salaries at that.  But how are our schools performing under the current regime?

Take a look:
1) Just 50% of Collier graduates could read at a 12th grade level in 2014.
2) Just 49% of Collier graduates could perform math at a 12th grade level in 2014.
3) Just 25% of Immokalee High graduates could read at a 12th grade level in 2014.
4) Since Dr. Kamela Patton was hired as superintendent in 2010, no more than 60% of our 10th graders could pass the state's reading test.

The liberal education methodologies, teaching to the tests and Common Core curriculum have failed our children!  This bottom-of-the-heap dumbed-down school system is wrecking havoc in our classrooms.  We can do better!  Our children deserve better!

In 2016, Collier County voters will have an opportunity to oust two of the most destructive and corrupt school board members in recent memory.  Julie Sprague and Kathleen Curatolo are up for reelection next year. On August 30, 2016, you will have a choice - continue the failing status quo, or turn the page and transform our local schools into beacons of robust education.  With two new ethical members on the school board, we can take back our schools and restore public education for the next generation.

Stay tuned for more information on the two fresh candidates who will challenge the status quo and stem the tide of liberalism that has flooded our public schools.  Until then, let Mrs. Lichter and Mrs. Donalds know you support them by showing up at school board meetings, speaking out, writing letters to the editor, and telling your friends and colleagues that "enough is enough." We will not stand idly by as our public schools are devastated by power hungry educrats who care more about public perception than educating our children.