Ode to Maria

This may not be a lylric Poem but if it were !

Years ago.on a bus trip from Playa del Carmen to visit Chicken-Itza we stopped for a short stretch in a town that I think was Valladolid. Just down the street was a school with an open doorway from the classroom to the street. Sitting near the open door sharing a desk were these two students. This delightful little girl intrigued by the strangers walking past made a perfect subject for a candid picture.

I thought of this girl while reading one of Donna Quixote-Maria's blogs about the BOE. I am sure Maria feels that she is flailing at windmills. She is probably hurt by the unwarranted attacks upon her by those who feel threaten by the truth.

Plainfield needs people like Maria , whose desire is to insure quality education for her children as well as every one that attends public schools.

Her articles expose the lack of organizational skills and direction that is evident by the Board's decisions. There frequently seems to be an abnormal impact of personal agendas on the school administration. The disregard for mandated procedures such as solicitation of bids for construction, services, or supplies. Frequent software and curriculum changes denote lack of direction or authority.

This continued exposure of the lack of understanding of its role by the members of the BOE should be an eyeopener for all the city's voters, especially the 10% who elect the individuals who determine the biggest single budget in the city.

I have always felt that the change from an appointed Board of Education to an elected one was a move in the wrong direction.

The argument that the appointed board could be controlled by an administration that would use it for patronage purposes is a valid one. Never the less, responsibility and accountability would fall upon one person and one political entity. If too much hanky-panky occurs the head of the serpent can be cut off.

On paper the concept that a board chosen in a nonpartisan election would best reflect the public's interests appears to be ideal. However in reality, without admitting to the facts, local political parties and fractions as well as special interests groups have run slates to fill the open slots. With the general apathy of the public when less than 15% vote it becomes easy to influence the election results. Too often there is a board that is beholden to a local political boss. Compliant members become selected candidates for acknowledge political office.The BOE should not be a training ground for would be politicians.

I would be remiss not to mention Maria's other civic campaign against ethnic bigotry. Although her specific focus falls on the growing Latino presence in the community her message relates to all minority groups. The term "Minority" used here is statistical not the unfortunate political one.It is amazing how the previous "bigotees" have become the "bigoters".

I would suggest that the new school hierarchy obtain the free material from "The Southern Poverty Law Center" and require its use in the curriculum.

Maria, don't stop being a crusader. You are heard, and gradually the needed reforms will occur.