Jessica Nock has a special ed child in Manatee County Schools. She and many of the other parents at that school have been notified that their children will have no adult supervision while waiting for the school bus to go home. After all, what could possibly go wrong with a bus load of school kids left unsupervised for half an hour?
For 7 months Jessica has tried to contact the Superintendent to get this problem resolved. But the superintendent won’t even talk to her. She has other priorities than listening to parents about the safety of their children. Ever wonder about the impact of the board’s attitude about listening to public input? Look no further than the superintendent.
According to Jessica the superintendent created the problem by not paying the bus drivers a competitive wage. So, the drivers are going to work for the private schools leaving the district short staffed.
So far Jessica and the other parents have been lucky. Their kids – tired, hungry, and dehydrated – come home. I’m sure if one is kidnapped the superintendent will ask for more money to protect the children. But we don’t have to wait for tragedy to strike.
This August we have a chance to replace three school board members with ones who will listen to parents. A new board united around the concept that parents can see the problems before the tragedy can work with the parents to serve the children.
The Manatee Patriots will have these candidates available for you to talk to. You can tell which ones listen and serve. And which ones ignore and use a crisis for money and power. In the end only one in seven voters will decide the fate of these kids. The question is will you be the one?
2 Responses
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