The Howell School Board Travesty

All of my education prior to college was spent in the Howell Public School system.  Indeed, my mother taught at the Livingston Educational Service Agency.

I feel that I received a good education, even if high school was one of the lowest most miserable points of my life.  That had nothing to do with the education system, that had to do with me.

I do not live in the Howell school district now, and have never had a child attending Howell Public Schools (thankfully).  However, I do feel I am allowed to form an opinion about this since I did attend Howell schools and indeed, paid many years of taxes to support them.

Read this article, then come back and we'll discuss.

Howell School Board Member Home Schools

Okay, dear and gentle readers, are you as pissed off as I am?  So, it's good enough for other people's children, but not good enough for hers?  And she should be allowed to make decisions concerning these other people's children?

The school's curriculum doesn't agree with her family "values" yet she can push those values off onto others children?

Let's address her little pet peeves, a.k.a Not Living In The Real World.

The Diversity Flag

The Diversity Flag that was hung in HHS was a symbol of diversity.  It was not a symbol of gay pride, it celebrated each person's individuality and uniqueness and the celebration of each human regardless of sex, sexual orientation, religious belief or ethnic orientation.  I bet Ms. Day was all in favor of the religious flag that was hung in counterpoint, though.

Sex Education

Ms. Day was not happy that 7th graders were being taught about condoms.  When exactly, should kids be told about birth control and STDs?  When they are in the clinic wondering why their period stopped or why they are itching down there?  Perhaps her version of the Bible doesn't outline those old cliches, An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure and Forewarned Is Forearmed.

Evolution As Fact Vs. Theory

This is just ridiculous beyond belief.  Prove to me the Big Guy In The Sky Is A Fact and then she'll have a leg to stand on. 

Did all the 18 people in Howell who voted in the school board election have their heads totally up their asses or what?

Oh wait, I bet all the people who went to her church voted for her.

And you know, there is nothing wrong if you are a religious person.  That's just fine.  My spiritual beliefs, however, are mine.  I don't want you pushing yours off onto me and my children.  That's my job and I will handle it.  They have no place in a public school system.  I don't want anyone who has a religious agenda to push their ideas onto my children.  That is not the place of a public school.

This is so wrong.  Wake up, Howell!  It's okay for a woman who feels that Howell Public Schools are not good enough for her children to make decisions about yours?

Here's a quarter for the clue phone.  Don't put it in the collection plate on Sunday, either.

Yeah, I probably will get shit about this, but you know, sometimes it's worth it.

I am glad my daughter isn't of school age yet  and we no longer live in Howell because I would be starting that recall petition right about now.

Comments

[Nadine]

It seems awfully hypocritical of her to not want her children attending there.

I wonder how many who voted for her were really aware of the situation.

As far as the school's Diversity Flag, even if it did only stand for Gay Pride and nothing else, so what?

Does she live in a cave somewhere? Maybe she just wants to pretend none of those issues really exist, such as the condom issue, among other things she decided she wasn't "comfortable" with.

I wonder how long she'll be able to keep her children in the dark in order to "protect" them?

[Beth Miller]

Being a resident of Livingston County I think this woman needs to be removed from the Howell Public Schools Board of Education. THIS REALLY PISSES ME OFF BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO HOME WENDY DAY!

DIVERSITY FLAG---to begin with I took this to be a symbol of an education system trying very hard to get rid of a KKK reputation. As you recall, Lisa, the 1980's had the Howell High School full of racism. Even into the 1990's. I am sure that they wanted to help ease the tensions and make a statement---it is not all about being gay--GOOD LORD!
Wendy Day doesn't want her kids to know that homosexuality is around??? So O.K. the kids become adults and see two men walking down the street kissing and holding hands. Instead of just accepting this behavior her son lashes out at these men. You can't change them no matter what you try to do so just mind your own business!

SEX EDUCATION:
What's wrong with that???? Is she NUTS? I can hear her form of sex education now---"the Lord said not to do it, so don't." But don't explain what not to do, Wendy, cuz then you are talking about SEX! SEX is a bad word and a bad thing---go ahead and traumatize your kids. Make them wish they were dead instead of enjoying a little nookie! I bet she would cry the loudest if her kid caught AIDS and couldn't figure out where they got it or worst of all how they got it!

If Wendy Day wants her kids to be taught with a religion based education there are PRIVATE schools she could have her kids attend. Or better yet take them to church and let them get their religious education from there.

This woman has NO BUSINESS on the school board!

I so agree with you Lisa and I really appreciate you bringing it up!!!!!!!
You rock as a human being.

[Marlene]

HOMESCHOOLING
Altough it is legal to homeschool, the idea itself makes me uneasy. Especially since I read an article that points out the The State Board of Education has no polices or procedures for those who choose to homeschool their children nor do they monitor the curriculum.

Are the people of Howell aware of this? Or did they just cast their votes based on respect for this woman's personal "values"?

If so, maybe they should homeschool their children as well and let those who choose to raise their children with diversity, tolerance and respect get a well-balanced education in their community.

Living under a rock isn't what it's cracked up to be. I personally crawled out from my own after removing my daughter from a very elite private elementary school and placing her in a very large public highschool. Since then, she has shown me a side of true spirituality.

SEX EDUCATION
Thankfully, most schools offer this program for reasons mentioned in earlier comments. We also have to remember that these schools leave this option up to the parents' discretion. If Ms. Day doesn't like this program overall (that's my guess anyway) is she going to fight to have it removed altogether?

She states that she "is only one vote" on the Board, but if she has so much influence over the community to be elected, how much will she have over other Board members?

JUST A THOUGHT
Ever wonder why there is so much hate in this world? Maybe we as parents, will finally realize it's time to teach our children to love and respect the differences in human kind. OR at the very least, to be tolerant of!

[Martin]

Marlene, you are right on target with all your comments! I do like the sentiment that "the hate starts at home", that's so very true and something we as parents should always be mindful of.

- Martin

[vero]

Shouldn't the separation of church and state include not having fundies on the school board?

[Martin]

Bravo Vero! Hear her! Hear her!

- Martin

[Steph]

No shit to be given here. I had this conversation with a friend on Friday after reading about Mrs. Day. We both feel if you are going to sit on the school board and make decisions that affect your district, then you should at least have a child in that school district and/or have a very solid background in education. My hubby is from Howell and swore our kids would never go to school there. Sadly though the intolerance is all over the county not just in Howell.

[Donna]

I just don't get why this woman would want this postion. She is after all very busy at home.

To the comment by Marlene about homeschooling making her uneasy;Home schooled children as a whole score higher than most on any assesment test you put in front of them. The problem I have with home schooling is the parents. They are generally the most controlling people I have ever met. I think the problem is fear and fear is not from God. The calling is 'to be in the world but not of it'. You can't spread the Gospel and not be around the people who need to hear it so keeping your children at home where you and they have no contact with 'unbelievers' is not what Jesus had in mind.

As for diversity, it includes including people with religious views that differ from our own including 'fundies'.

"When exactly, should kids be told about birth control and STDs?" I think the answer to that is, 'When the parent who knows their child feels they are ready.' I like the ability to opt in or out of such teaching. My choice. My 10 yr old daughter has opted out of every 'sex ed' conversation I have tried to have with her. She is not interested and not ready. She is academically at the top of her class and is very well adjusted and happy. She likes being a child and makes that very clear to me. We are very involved in her day to day life. For the children whose parents just turn them loose on the world maybe those sex ed classes are a good thing but for us, "That's my job and I will handle it."

[Republican Michigander]

Hi all. If you don't like what I have to say here, thank "Page Field" who gave me the link.

First, I voted for Wendy and would do so again today. I knew she was a homeschooler. It frankly wasn't an issue to me. I'm a taxpayer, and education is a major issue to me, as it should be to every person in the county. I don't have kids in school, but I went to public schools. I pay taxes, and I'm a voter. I'm not skipping the school elections. I never did. With a 25% turnout in 2005 where the incumbent won with less than 35% of the vote, and with a heavy turnout in 2006 where the LOVE Group (I'm not a member) and Concerned Taxpayers Group (I'm on their PAC) both got a candidate in, the days of low turnout elections may be over.

Howell's lost kids to schools of choice. (Brighton, Pinckney, Hartland, Fowlerville, etc.) There's also a new Catholic Central going to Wixom or Novi. St Pats has a new school on the way. The question should be how does Howell schools compete with that? Also, let's remember that for every student that says no to Howell Schools, there's less money for that school district. Instead of sneering, we need to ask ourselves why the schools aren't good enough for these people who say no to Howell Schools.

Rainbow Flag - Either all flags should be allowed, or none of them should be allowed. As far as the Kluckster references go, the ghost of Robert Miles needs to rest in peace. I get tired of the white guilt in Howell over a guy who has been dead for 15 years. That's past and gone. I'd like to see him forgotten myself, and I'm from one of the religious groups that the Klan hates. Part of the reason for the Klan reputation is because too many guilty white people bring it up every time controversy hits Livingston County. If this place is so intolerant, why are so many people moving out here? How did Valde Garcia get elected here with 70%+ of the vote?

Sex Education - Is this a place for schools to be? From what I remember, everyone just cracked jokes in that class anyway. Not really a big issue to me.

As for gay issues (pro-gay or anti-gay), they don't belong in the schools. What consenting adults do in their home is none of my business. It just doesn't belong around kids. Parents should discuss that issue, not schools.

As for Evolution (By evolution, I'm referring to man evolving from apes), it's a theory. I have no problem as long as it is taught as a theory in the scientific sense. It was taught as a theory when I was in public school. If it taught the same way I was, I have no problem with it.

Lastly, there were three main reasons why I voted for Wendy, who was my 2nd choice in that election (behind John Arthur). The first reason is because the board is made up of too many yesmen. They all say yes to whatever Chuck Breiner wants. Wendy would at least bring a check and balance to that board different than the current "elite". The other issue is fiscal responsibility. Sadly, the gay pride debates took away from the fiscal issues and reckless spending that goes on out there. Third, I consider Wendy a friend, and that was an issue in my vote as well.

[Marlene]

First of all, I would like to thank "Paige Field" for giving Michigan Republican the opportunity to share his/her opinion. After all, freedom of speech and representation is one of the foundations of this great country, right?

Sex Education
As a parent, yes I believe it is important to offer these classes to all children. Personally, I have open communication regarding sex and the human body with my chilren. However, I am not a health care provider and learning from my own experiences, parents don't always have the answers. Nor have my children ever asked for specific details regarding sex or what is going on in their bodies from our health care providers.

"Cracking jokes" in sex education is a way for children feel comfortable learning about these issue with their peers. Do you really think little Johnny is going to ask his pals on the playground if they wake with the morning wood? Please! Do you think if their father's tell them it's normal they won't just think they've inherited their father's "issue"? Do you think if I am the only person to teach my daughter about menstruation she will have a sense of commonality knowing that her friends are going through the very same "issues" as she? The answer is NO. I can tell you this because I DO have children in school. And my children are very comfortable having open conversations at home regarding what they've learned at school. In fact, they very much enjoy correcting us from time to time with various terms! It's a hoot that provides many shits and giggles at the dinner table. Family time...hellloooooo.

Gay issues
I'm sorry but last I knew "gays" consisted of people of all ages. Maybe Michigan Republican believes in the theory that children become "gay" after exposure from "consenting adults" that choose to show affection outside of "their own home". Well, guess what? It is a known fact that many adults knew they were gay early in childhood. If you aren't aware of this, maybe you should ask and add that to your stats. Better yet, tell me what Dick Cheney has to say about that.

Finally, if we really wanted to stop the terrorism we would educate our own children right here at home. Terrorist groups are nothing short of intolerant hate groups. Hate and intolerance begins at home, and it is our duty to provide the education needed in all aspects of life if we truly want peace.

I would still appreciate the answer to Lisa's questions. If the public schools aren't good enough for Ms. Day's children, what exactly are her intentions to make them so?

[Lisa]

Donna, I agree with you on the sex education issue and your choice to educate your daughter. To not offer it at all, I think, is not a good choice. Not all parents are comfortable talking to their children about it and not all children are comfortable coming to their parents with questions. But there is always the option to opt out and a parent knows when a child is ready and the best way to teach them about it. And I applaud you for realizing that your daughter isn't ready and you're not pushing her into something.

I don't have a problem with fundamentalist religion and I apologize for sounding so deragatory about it. I do have a problem with people who try to tell me their spiritual way is the only way and it seems the fundamentalists tend to be the most voicferous about this.

And we are all still waiting to figure out, why did she pursue this position? She doesn't have a dog in the fight, as it were. No kids in our local schools since she doesn't agree with what is taught. Maybe I missed something in that article, does she have a background in education that qualifies her to make decisions about other people's children's education?

And MiRepub, I find it amusing (slightly) that you hide behind an anonymous blog. I have a feeling I may know who you are and if that is the case, why not just blog in your own name? Might garner you a few votes, you just never know.

[Martin]

Heh, or take a few votes away. Maybe that's the issue.

- Martin

[Republican Michigander]

Addressing more comments:

Marlene - I can't answer Wendy's question on schools. She'd have to answer that herself.

I do agree with the stopping the terrorism/hate groups starts at home. The only way I know to do that is for people to stop the "Groupthink" and "white guilt overcompensation for bad people in the area's past." I treat people as individuals and judge their actions and not their superficial characteristics. Good people are good people. The past is past but we all can control the future by our individual actions.

Lisa - You probably know who I'm am. I use my "blog name" out of habit more than anything else. The Argus often puts my real name and blog name next to each other, so it's no secret. I don't plan on running for office anytime soon since I'm going back to school. Although if I ever do run, I promise I won't robocall everybody. :)

Dan

[Lisa]

Thank God, or Allah, or whoever, Dan (and yes, I do know who you are now, hehe and you probably know me, as well from the past gatherings of Repubs in Livingston County) you will not Robo call anyone!

In the meantime, is the local Argus a joke or what?

They did an article about my husband and I adopting our daughter a couple years back for National Adoption Month. The entire Living section was devoted to it. My husband's name is Martin. Our surname is Watson. By the end of the article, we had morphed into Lisa Martin.

Duh!

I could tell you so much about the KKK entry I did and how one of their "reporters" first sent me an email asking where I found the information and when I blasted her and said, Hello, Journalism 101, did you take that class? she then came back with, Oh well, I wanted your OPIONION.

Yeah the LCP is all that and a bag of chips, isn't it?

Hear hear, Dan, we agree to disagree so I raise a glass to you.

[Michelle]

BIG hypocrite, this woman. That's like wanting to be in the VFW, and never having been enlisted overseas. If she wants to home school, whatever, but she shouldn't be on the school board making decisions for OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN.