It is up to the local community to tax itself to provide added funds for needed classrooms and renovations. At one time, the primary mission of public education was to teach reading, writing, computing, thinking, and to prepare students for productive and responsible living. Recently, however, educators have been given added duties as surrogate parents, disciplinarians, and teachers of driver training, sex education, manners, conflict management and mediation, racial and ethnic harmony, respect for cultural diversity, good grooming, and family values. Additionally, educators are expected to keep schools open before and after school and to provide supervision, babysitting, child care, tutoring, coaching, and a variety of extra curricular activities. They must also provide nutritious meals, health services, referrals to local physicians, hospitals, and various social and relief agencies, parenting classes, language instruction, translation services, and legal representation.
Some people are quick to find fault with public schools.
May I suggest that we be honest and recognize that the challenge of public education is overwhelming and the expectations somewhat unrealistic. And before we play football with schools, we should determine if our expectations and demands of teachers and schools are reasonable and achievable. If they are not, let us find out why and make our schools more successful.