- April 26, 2024
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A ‘no’ vote doesn’t mean we want inferior education
Dear Editor:
Before closing the book on the school tax issue, I wanted to respond to School Board member Colleen Conklin’s comments on the Palm Coast Observer’s Facebook page. Ms. Conklin asked readers if they had “educated themselves about the issue before voting.” She goes on to say that “the voters have spoken. They have decided what kind of education they want to provide for their young citizens, and we will honor that.”
I, for one, resent the accusation that my no vote suggested I am somehow uneducated about the issues. And I also resent her attitude about the quality of education we can now expect for our children.
A no vote does not mean we want our children to have an inferior education. But apparently that’s what Ms. Conklin thinks we should all expect now that the tax has been defeated. Let me suggest that this kind of attitude displayed by Ms. Conklin and others contributed to the defeat of the tax. And let me further suggest that we should expect far more from our School Board members than what has been shown by them throughout the campaign.
Tony D’Amico
Palm Coast
FCAT results are unimpressive; let’s get back to basics
Dear Editor:
I am surprised at the general acceptance that the students of Flagler and Volusia did well on the FCAT, simply because they exceeded the Florida state averages in a few categories. It looks to me like our schools are still teaching to a mediocre level and turning out half-educated kids!
The best score in the charts shown indicate that only 2/3 of all test results are passing. Less than half are passing in several categories. Is this something to brag about? Is this a “good” result? And, in this case, “passing” is only a mediocre level!
It seems to me that if our schools were to really educate our students, the FCAT would be passed with flying colors, and we wouldn’t have to spend thousands of dollars trying to meet some foolish standards.
I say let’s quit coddling the students, get back to basics, teach the 3 R’s and ram it down their throats. If we want the future generations of our country to be nation and world leaders (or even to be locally competitive), we, the public and the media, should be demanding our education teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as English, reading, writing, history, government, health and social studies.
Elective classes and social activities should be offered and/or permitted only after the above are taught and passed by the student.
Let’s put pressure on our school boards and educators to be proactive and progressive. Teach our kids! The fact that the Flagler County School District topped the state average doesn’t impress me when the state average sucks!
Jesse Stoner
Palm Coast
My recent observations of the Flagler County Library
Dear Editor:
There are so many political concepts wafting about. I know! I’ll go to the library. That will help me sort out what’s real. New books section: a great place to start. I’ll look at the titles and find those that talk politics. I am not extreme to either end. I’ll just pull all the books that seem to be political. Public library, right? So there will be many middle-of-the-road books. I’ll see what the inside cover or the back of the book says.
On the flap of “Black Helicopters”: “Thus socialists are diluting our national sovereignty.”
Next book: “Ultimate Obama Survival Guide.” Flap: “Can you survive the great Obama recession that is heading our way? Prepare for the Obamageddon!” Wow, that’s even further right. I didn’t think that was possible.
Next book flap: “We are a nation in decline. ... Prepare for the free market revolution.”
“Theodore and Woodrow” flap: “How two American presidents destroyed our constitutional freedom.” Books like these would even put Fox News to shame!
From “Bullies”: “The left’s culture of fear and intimidation. ... While President Obama and the left like to pretend they oppose bullying, the truth is far darker.” Far darker? These books are insane.
I give up. I’ve searched all the political books in the new books section of my library. “My library.” Why does that phrase ring false? I am unable to find a political middle-of-the-road book. My tax dollars are buying all this far-right nonsense. Not a middle-of-the-road, let alone a liberal book to be seen. It may be my money, but this is not my library!
Mark Dormann
Palm Coast
