Now, conventional wisdom calls for patience and to allow the districts the time to wrap their arms around this new provision in their plans and to wait and see what happens.

In an effort to represent the opposite advocate, some would ask, what happens with the year we lose by waiting? If the district provisions are more difficult, or restrictive, or some districts opt not to do the program at all, do we get that year back? Why must we cede our educational choices to the government YET AGAIN, as we may see a successful program changed or worse yet, eliminated as we know it?

In favor of conventional wisdom, some would say districts have handled education successfully for years and to this day graduate many successful children who become captains of industry and leaders of not only today but also tomorrow. Why can’t we see how they do with this, give them a chance, and trust? In some cases, there is a reason for not being able to trust.

I can’t speak to all districts, only for the one where we reside.

• Graduation rates for seniors are static or reduced slightly depending on the reports you read.
• At a budget workshop recently to deal with a projected shortfall (blamed on Tallahassee tax cutting) teachers are going to have to accept a 1.5% pay cut, higher medical insurance benefits and the potential of job loss as 147 positions were also recommended to be cut.
• 7-10 schools are to be shuttered.
• A science teacher at a recently remodeled high school (that needs to be remodeled again due to gangs and student unrest) has been arrested for taking a student to the zoo on a science field trip…IN HIS CAR.
• A band assistant director at a local middle school has resigned and arrested for asking a student to give him a massage at his home.
• An eighth grade student, who had repeatedly brought a loaded weapon to school, was arrested recently for showing it to friends in the bathroom.
• At an after school activity, sanctioned by the school because district transportation was involved, an 18 year old girl was raped by a 16 year old boy on the district bus while his 2 friends watched for any potential problems.
• The “fix everything right away” superintendent has resigned to take a job at a publishing company in New York leaving the district in the hands of a transitional superintendent during a national search.

Our children were subject to bullying in the schools where we live, and aggression was dealt with by compassionate counseling. The one time my oldest was seriously injured in a bullying incident, We wanted to file a charge against the aggressor and the police officer at the school tried to discourage us from doing it because of the paperwork involved. I neglected to mention, that I was ACTIVELY involved in both schools, and according to some teachers received preferential treatment in resolution of my children’s’ issues.

A disclaimer here. Not every district has problems to this degree, and even this district seems to be having a run of “bad luck.”This district has done some nice things as well, but is as bloated a bureaucracy as any government agency can be. There is nothing in place here currently or in the near future that shows us that one more program to administer will be any easier for them to handle.

Parents, remain active, remain engaged, remain involved.  Keep an eye on your individual school district…keep an eye on your elected politicians. (The key word there is elected…they are there because of your vote.) Ask their opinion on virtual education before you vote for them. Write letters, emails, and CALL. Let them know YOU ARE OUT THERE.  Join the coalition. Before school starts in August, let’s make it the goal, as parents, to have 2000 or more people registered on the Coalition website. I registered just recently and you can’t believe what kind of information is there. Raise your voice. Let your voices be heard loud, and clear and strong. You want this and you are not going away. A reminder, too. If you are in the program currently, please let the school know what your intention for the fall will be.

I certainly would agree with those who lack confidence in their district. However, perhaps I’m approaching this issue in the wrong way. I’m more than willing to be proven “wrong.” I hope I will be.

 Am I the only one that feels like this about the school districts, or are there others like me?