I attended the first meeting of the new school board, and there is reason for concern for the continued progress being made by Orange County Public Schools. In this time of enormous financial uncertainty, and a possible $100 million shortfall next year, new school board members made the rash, emotional decision to reverse the cost-saving flip of start times for middle and high school students. In spite of many speakers, and these board members themselves, asserting the need for data and study, they nonetheless went ahead and voted to reverse the flip. They casually dismissed the need to give it time to determine any academic benefits of the time change.
I'm not alone in hoping that there will be evidence of deeper understanding of the serious responsibilities of serving on the school board and the need for prudent, responsible and rational governance. The classroom must be fiercely protected always, but particularly in these financial times.
As one speaker said, this is not a game...........It certainly is not. It's serious business.
8 months ago