Do I Still Get An "I Voted" Sticker?

Received my ballot in the mail yesterday and so, after careful research and some talks with the Almighty – who always guides my favorite sports teams, political candidates, and rap artists – I’m ready to endorse the following candidates for District 11 School Board.

Jan Tanner

Charlie Bobbitt

Tom Strand

These good folks deserve to be re-elected to the Board because they represent stability and solid leadership. They also support:

- Comprehensive, age appropriate, science-based curriculum regarding sex education.
- Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in school sharing the same recognition as other clubs.
- The arts, physical and vocational education to produce well-rounded, critically-thinking students.
- Non-judgmental counseling available to students who are struggling with issues including, but not limited to, sexual identity.

I am impressed and agree with Tanner’s stance on the importance of involved parents and families helping to create lifelong learners. Without their help, our teachers don’t stand a chance.

Bobbitt is right on when he says that we need more counselors and social workers to help students meet the challenges they face. As our schools get more crowded and our counselors get overwhelmed with administrative paperwork, more kids get lost and turn away from all of us.

Strand believes in the power of strong intervention programs that meet the needs of all our students. His leadership regarding Response to Intervention is exactly what our schools need to narrow the gap and help troubled kids succeed.

The first three choices were easy, the fourth and final choice, not so much.

After much deliberation – and thoughtful prayer in between the whole “help the starving, dying, and Red Sox” routine – I have chosen Delia B. Armstrong Busby. (No picture or working website available.)

Not thrilled with her wanting to allow parents and students to shape sex-ed classes. I shudder to think what parents around here want us *not* to discuss in this area. And teenagers everywhere want Learning Through Porn programs.

Not. Exactly. Helpful.

But Busby does believe that Gay-Straight Alliance clubs should be allowed on campus and seems to be a supporter of a comprehensive curriculum in our schools.

Plus the other candidates (Null, Exline, and Breazell) are a bit backwards. We've had enough of that 'round these parts.

So mail in your ballot and vote for Tanner, Bobbitt, Strand and Busby. Cause the Lord and I don't make mistakes.

And I'm so not hearing your snide and petty Red Sox comments.