You are probably tired of me going on about the South Bend Community Schools. But doggone-it they give me stuff to talk about on just about a daily basis.
The Superintendent and School Board have decided that they WILL NOT allow Hillary Clinton to make a campaign stop at Washington High School. Read the story here. Repeat: Hillary Clinton is not allowed at Washington High School.
Are these people nuts?!? The reasons – not wanting to appear partisan and some policy that requires equal time for the other candidates! What are these guys smoking?! This isn’t about being partisan. This isn’t about supporting Hillary Clinton. (Although she is the former First Lady. She is the Senator from New York. And she is one of two Democratic candidates for the Presidency of the United States and she wants to make a stop at one of our High Schools. And they said “no.”)
This is what it is about: the best interest of the students! What a huge civic lesson opportunity! What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to see a Presidential candidate (and the former First Lady and current Senator). This could bring to life the importance of issues in this campaign and can get students engaged in ways that are significant. And of course there isn’t equal airtime for the other candidates. These three candidates don’t appear in every high school in America. And when one of them (and I don’t care if it was John McCain, Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton) is willing to come to your High School – you say “YES!” because of the amazing opportunity for THE STUDENTS!! ISN’T IT SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT THEM ANYHOW!!!?
ONCE AGAIN WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS IS BEING OVERLOOKED BY THE RIDICULOUS THINKING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION.
Congratulations to Mishawaka schools and their school board for making a good decision.
O.K. I’ll quit shouting and calm back down now.
Amen!
By: E.Cabello on March 27, 2008
at 11:17 pm
I jumped on here as soon as I heard the report…what took you so long Sam:) What a huge disappointment…I was fuming all night! What a wonderful opportunity it COULD HAVE BEEN. And she picked us first…eughhhhh! With a soon to be Kindergartener and 1st grader in the system there are many concerns!
By: Kyra on March 28, 2008
at 8:39 am
There’s only one way that the South Bend Community School Board and Superintendent can make up for this missed opportunity for a meaningful civics lesson: Invite former NY Governor Eliott Spitzer to come address our community’s children.
Really, to be completely fair to the school board, they were vitally concerned about student safety. It makes no sense to invite sniper fire to hear a speech.
By: The Bishop on March 28, 2008
at 9:02 am
I am so frustrated by this decision because it makes the SBCSC look bad…AGAIN!! As a SBCSC teacher, it is frustrating to always be the corporation who seems to make ridiculous decisions that are then highlighted by the media. I do hear the safety concerns, BUT there would a ton of secret service there and security set up. I would say that the students would probably be as safe during this visit (if not safer) than on any other day when a kid could bring a gun to school.
By: Amy O on March 28, 2008
at 7:44 pm
I think safety concerns are far too easy and obvious an excuse. I would bet there is far more going on here than just that…
By: Doug on March 31, 2008
at 9:01 am
perhaps they thought she’d get lost in the 9 mile deep pot holes on the way to Washington from the Airport?
I’m very disappointed that the children missed out on this opportunity.
I’ve spoken with a few of the Mishawaka students that were there and I’m excited that they are excited about the election now.. kudos to her for doing that.. I’m confident they’ll all get on line and blog each other and google the other candidates too to learn more about the issues and where each candidate stands because of it..
By: kathy on April 1, 2008
at 12:24 am