CBE: This is who we are

Two weeks ago, before the Cd'A School Board Election, Citizens for Better Education ("CBE") found itself the subject of a despicable, desperate political attack. In an effort to discredit the new trustee candidates, who were supported and endorsed by CBE, City Councilman Mike Kennedy started a brief firestorm with his "tweet" falsely suggesting a connection between CBE and the Aryan Nations. It didn't work, and the people chose wisely, electing Terri Seymour and Tom Hamilton to the Board of Trustees.

I would now like to formally introduce the public to Citizens for Better Education. CBE is a loosely knit group of concerned citizens, from diverse backgrounds. Our group includes an elementary school teacher, a stay-at-home mom, a college professor, a lawyer, nurses, a judge, a former aerospace executive, a Realtor and business owners. We share a common interest and goal - improving education at the local level for our children.

What brought us together as a group was seeing the need for improvements in education, and a willingness to try to do something about it. Given that the U.S. currently ranks near the bottom of industrialized nations in public education, and Idaho ranks in the middle of the states, who can disagree with a "needs improvement" assessment? Additionally, over the past few years it has become apparent that our existing school board doesn't care much for public input, let alone decision-making participation by taxpayers and parents. How many times have we heard, "leave it to the professional educators?"

The uproar over the IB program was galvanizing for many in our community, as well as CBE. However, the thinking about IB varies, even within CBE. For some, the curriculum's focus on global citizenship and community activism is objectionable. For others, it's the huge cost of the program, the lack of academic depth in IB science and math classes, or the fact that after six years the program has failed to meet the academic goals set by the district. Others were moved to action watching the way the Trustee Board tried to control and eventually shut-down discussion. Fairness was an important issue for both candidates, who communicated their discontent with the lack of fairness in the processes of our current board. Due process is about fairness.

CBE viewed the school board campaign as an opportunity to educate the voters about issues facing our school board, and the positions of the candidates on those issues. In support of Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Seymour, CBE members canvassed every corner of trustee zones 2 and 3. We encountered many busy people who were interested in the trustee elections and hungry for information. Many felt our schools and school board were doing just fine (notwithstanding our world and country-ranked education mediocrity), but a majority shared our concerns, resulting in victory at the polls.

CBE would like to congratulate Terri Seymour and Tom Hamilton for their victory, and their willingness to step up for our children. We also congratulate the voters for choosing two well-qualified candidates who we are confident will serve with distinction over the next four years. CBE will continue its work to involve parents and taxpayers more directly in the education decisions affecting our children and our country, and to ensure quality of academic education locally.

Duncan Koler is a member of CBE.