Just Say Yes

It didn’t take long for the Just Say No contingent of the Parkview School District to show up to oppose the current school improvement plan. These are the guys who can’t say anything but “No” when it comes to supporting the education of the Parkview children. In a recent attack highlighted in the Gazette, the Just Say No guy argued that the Parkview District doesn’t deserve the “Meets Expectations” certification it got from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. As a result, according to this critic, the district should give up any thoughts of a building referendum because “consolidation with a nearby district is inevitable.” (I can only imagine what he would recommend if the District wasn’t meeting expectations. Yikes!) There is neither time nor space here to discuss the DPI’s Accountability System, but I suspect our critic did not thoroughly read the 72 page appendix needed to explain the scoring. While the Parkview District has clearly acknowledged it has work to do, we should feel good the District is on the right track. And as a parent whose three children were all prepared by the Parkview Schools to succeed in college and beyond, I know it is our turn to provide the resources necessary for the next generation of students.

The Just Say No individuals want you to believe the school district is in crisis. Don’t believe it. Our public schools and their teachers do a remarkable job providing education for ALL children. Unfortunately, our recent economic crisis has created more students affected by poverty and more challenges in the classroom. Our schools need MORE resources, not less. When our Governor tells you we have a budget surplus, remember it is because he took millions from the schools and the teachers who work there. The Parkview School District is once again trying to upgrade buildings to better meet the needs of our kids. These are investments in our children and their future. We have a civic and moral responsibility to provide a public education for ALL children. Let us start here; let us start now. When the Just Say No guys claim American education is in decline, tell them they are wrong. This year – as in the past – US scholars received more Nobel Prize awards than any other country. People from all over the world come here to study in our schools. Our only danger now - and it is a real danger- is that we will stop providing adequate resources for our PUBLIC schools and permit some children to prosper and others to fall through the cracks. Please support the dedicated educators of the Parkview District and the referendum to improve our schools.