Lynda Loveland: Politics in public schools

Stick a fork in me, I’m done with politics in public schools! And judging by all the calls we had Wednesday morning on Mix 101.5, I’m not the only one.

Really, I’m shocked, because the school board has always seemed to work so well together. Del Burns quit a couple of years ago because he couldn’t work with the board. He said it was partisan politics. And he was right, even though no party affiliation is listed on the ballot for school board members.

So who’s to blame for this mess? How about the Tea Party and the Great Schools in Wake Coalition? Each pushed candidates with an agenda - no matter the cost - personally, professionally or educationally. Seems to me the school board members are more interested in supporting the party that got them elected than supporting the children in our schools. And they’re doing it by essentially bullying. Not exactly a great example to the kids!

I just don’t get why politics are even involved! What difference does it make if you lean right or left? My children aren’t Republican. My children aren’t Democrat. My children are watching grown-ups who can’t seem to get along for their common good!

Is this going to be a continuing cycle? What happens in another two years if there’s a change of power on the board and THEY don’t like the new superintendent? There has to be a way for this school system to work. Here’s a thought: We could have used Tata's $250,000 severance package to study FUNCTIONAL school systems around the country that are similar to ours!

Here’s another thought, if my kids don’t get along, I take away all electronics until I see improvement. No TV, no computers and no Smartphones. I bet we’d see some collaboration lickety split!