New Haven residents Jerry & Joanie Breihan have been extremely active in combating the increased Federal control over our local school systems here in Franklin County. Most of us have become familiar with Race to the Top in recent months. This program essentially rewards select states and school systems with federal money in return for them granting more and more power to the federal government. Along with attending school board meetings in New Haven, Jerry and Joanie have been active in making phone calls and writing letters to different School Boards.
Below is Jerry’s report of a recent Franklin County School Board meeting, called specifically to discuss Race to the Top. This is proof how effective ordinary citizens can be when committed to a righteous cause. I hope we will all follow in their example.
First and best of all, Franklin County R-II (FCRII) school board voted unanimously (all eight members) not to participate in Race to the Top. Joanie and I spent alot of the week researching information on RT3 and sent this via email to the board members. It was great to see the board in action last night, as people who finally read something about RT3, discussed what was in the contest.
We believe that they had this special school board meeting because of the written request we sent to the board requesting FCRII withdraw their Memorandum of Understanding.
Prior to the meeting, I requested time to speak, so the president did allow me time.
Questions I asked the board:
- Is it constitutional for the federal government to be involved in state schools?
- Underneath the general welfare clause, how is the general welfare being distributed to all states when only two states are being given “the carrot” underneath the first pick (Delaware and Tennessee). If the federal government is helping the schools, it should be helping all 50 states. That’s what is meant by general welfare.
- The superintendent kept saying, “We can withdraw at any time. We sign up now and find out what the program is about later. If we don’t like it, we can withdraw at any time.” My question to the board, “In ‘The Memorandum of Understanding’ which is a contract between two persons or entities, where does it actually say you can “withdraw at any time? It is not in there, and if it is not in writing, it’s not there.” There was much discussion regarding this point.
Bottom line, FCRII is not going to participate in RT3.The deadline for the second round of RT3 is June 1. The superintendents and president of school boards are signing away control of the schools with very few people knowing about it. Please contact your local school superintendent and school board now to raise questions/objections.
My prayer is to get schools back to the place where the three R’s, plus morality and virtue are taught and put into practice.
Thank God we have active and informed people like you to keep an eye on things. Keep up the good work, God bless you, and thank you so much.
Thank you Jerry and Joanie for your hard work and efforts. As a retired educator I wholeheartedly support your efforts in defeating the Race to the Top (more government control of our children and schools).
Mary Weland