03/31/2023
This post is intended for the LF/LB community
We are voting on an important referendum for our high school. In the past past few days Parents Care and a mysterious group of "concerned parents" (who did not provide their names) have "published" their concerns about our schools and recommended a no vote
This is my public response to them.
My personal experience with three very different children at LFHS has been that the school met them where they were and challenged them. They also provided very different opportunities, as well as incredible support when needed. All three children followed very different paths and feel they were very well prepared for their journey after high school.
In regards to the points raised by the groups mentioned above, I agree that our test scores are not as high as they have been in the past. I also believe that our current superintendent is actively addressing this and I am confident in the administration to do what is needed to turn this around. I also agree that this referendum is a lot of money. I disagree that the schools financial management has been unsatisfactory. I agree that there are areas where money can be saved but I do not believe the community is in agreement about those areas. The majority of this community wants us to offer what larger high schools offer and many parents in this community fight for the school to ADD programs. And many, many parents ask for additional resources for their children that costs the district money. I can't personally validate the exact percentage, but our high school has a very high percentage of students who require accommodations for testing. Those accommodations require additional staffing which costs money. Parents in our community want accommodations and programs for their students. I understand that. If/when the district starts cutting programs, parents object. We can't offer everything everyone wants and have the lowest spending.
The last point of objections was that the District is Embracing Divisive, Destructive Woke Ideology. The "concerned parents" state that the role of a school is not to indoctrinate politically or to push rote learning of boring, pessimistic, divisive political ideologies such as inclusion. They, like Parents Care, believe that "these kids are the next generation of leaders who must make America stronger, more secure, and more harmonious and prosperous for all" while simultaneously not including anything broaching the subjects of inclusion, diversity or equity. I find it hard to imagine a harmonious, prosperous future if we disregard these ideas.
I caution you to believe everything these groups tell you. Parents Care states that two of their values are:
Vigilance in protecting our children.
Commitment to advocating for what is in the best interests of our children.
Yet despite these values their executive director Frank McCormick published a video of students (taken by a LFHS student without the knowledge or consent of the students) in a counseling room at LFHS and erroneously said it was a "gay study hall". I personally asked Parents Care Board Member Philippe Melin to publicly denouce this action. To date that has not happened
I support the LFHS school board that was vetted by our Caucus and who voted unanimously to put this referendum on the ballot. I encourage you to vote yes
- Martha Zeeman
