Character Matters:
Sound education includes the deveolpment of good morals and character. No society or school can function without it. Develop a clear and understandable statements of values such as "truthfulness, obedience, excellence, repect for people and property, faithfulness, humility and service, etc. I hope we can develop a simple statement of what we want our children's character to include, teach it and live it in out schools. This supports parent's foundational goals of education.
I agree with every word of Mr. Neill's statement on character. But there is one problem with implementing this into the schools in Jones Co. How can we expect our children to live a life of good character when the leaders in the school district are living unethical lives? First, we need to write a character statement that the school board members will agree to follow. Students will never know how to live a life of good morals until they see it from adults first.
I would say that many adults in the Jones Co. School System need to take a character lesson from the students. Take the students from West Jones. The ones who stood up for what they believed risking suspension and fielding threats from the school board and superintendent. Many of these students came to my hearing wearing T-shirts in support of me right in front of the superintendent and board members. I saw just the opposite from the administration who knew I should not have been fired but went along with it fearing for their jobs. They sold their intergrity for secruity.
I think before we write a character statement for students that we need to write one for the board and superintendent to follow. Or maybe it will be easier just to vote them out in the next four years and vote people in who already have character. Maybe Mr. Neill will be the first to bring some character to the school board. But that's up to you the voters in Beat 5 to decide. Remember to vote your conscience on November 2nd.
If you have friends living in Beat 5 remind them to vote on Nov. 2 and fill them in on this candidate.