By Robyn K. Stevenson ? Reader”s views
Silence. I cannot believe I have allowed myself to stand by so long in silence.
I suppose I”m like most people who sat and watched dumbfounded as our representatives continued to play politics with our communities, our children”s education, and our future. It is unimaginable that they put such a low value on our children”s education. School boards across the state have been forced to eliminate programs and staff that directly benefit our children.
In Lakeport, it is our friends, families and community that directly face the burden of these cuts. We are extremely fortunate to have our superintendent Erin Hagberg, administrators and multitude of caring staff that have worked closely to find creative ways to maximize our resources. Recent board meetings, packed with respectful community members, voiced their valid concerns. The ultimate reality is that $800,000 must be cut even though we braced for the coming lean times for the past several years. Lakeport will be losing a counselor, library clerk, bus drivers, teachers, classroom paraprofessionals and program managers.
Change takes courage. Change takes a voice. I encourage you to take a moment to contact your representatives. It can be one line on an e-mail that you can re-send every time you sit down at your computer. It can be a passionate handwritten letter or a phone call. The contact information is found in this newspaper.
When I visit our schools, they are alive with the noise of children, educators, families and communities. Do not allow them to be silenced! Please join us as we stand up for schools on Pink Friday, March 13 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Lakeport Courthouse Square. If Phil Kirby can wear pink, so can you!
Robyn K. Stevenson
Lakeport
