How are 
the students?

I have to admit I have no inside track or information on the Bureau Valley Board investigation on the rumors flying around the community. I do believe the board when they say the investigation does not involve students or their safety. OK, we elected them; let them do their job. I should add, let them do their job that they don’t get paid for. The BV Board investigation is not at the top of my worries for BV or any school district for that matter. The main question for all schools should be, “How are the students?” At this time, the state of Illinois is telling the school districts to expect half of their state aid money next year. As a taxpayer, how is your school district going to make this up? With that anticipation of state funding being cut in half, I’m surprised more superintendents haven’t put in for early retirement.

The next big issue facing our school districts is a federal list of educational standards. First we had No Child Left Behind, now comes Race to the Top. The national standards for the high schools are expected out in December with the elementary standards to follow. Like all new programs that come out, superintendents and all involved in schools are wondering, what does this mean for us and the students? Half the money, more mandates? Our schools are still working on the state mandate of developing and implementing RTI plans and policy. There is no question that our schools have to make strides to improve education, but how will they while receiving less money?

Bureau Valley and all school districts have some real issues to address in the near future. I have confidence the BV School Board will address the investigation the best they can. Let the board do their job, I’m sure they are looking closely to the evidence and are listening even closer to their legal counsel rather then the editorials in the newspaper. If the board chooses to let this issue be resolved quietly, fine because the bigger issues are right there in front of us, roaring for attention. As a community, let’s stay focused on the issues that will directly involve students and us because the rumors floating around are a distraction from the main issues at hand. Should we spend our time hashing over rumors about an investigation, or should we be talking about the financial cuts, new standards, and unfunded mandates expected next year? Do you know what your property tax bill will look like next year or the year after if state aid to schools is cut 50 percent? How will this affect our students?