Each day Bill records a MICKnugget, a one-minute take on some issue that got his attention that morning. Below are the scripts for last week’s NUGGETS.
CLICK HERE if you’d like to hear them. Here are the scripts:
12.12.22- BPS Perspectives
Your impression of something depends entirely upon your perspective. In the case of Brevard Schools, at least right now, it’s not making a lot of difference.
The New York Post wrote a column about Brevard Schools’ discipline issues and it paints an ugly picture of our community. From the story, you’d think we are Baltimore.
We aren’t, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have problems to address.
The Florida today story presents more detail, but makes it clear that change needs to happen.
From sexual acts in the classroom to teachers being hit, bitten and furniture being thrown around, the lack of consequences to bad behavior have led to chaos in our schools.
This is not a time for “equity,” but for true equality that is offense and behavior based. Repeat offenders deserve more severe consequences.
Until leaders come to that realization, we can expect the problems to continue.
12.13.22- Running Elections Takes Knowledge & Leadership
There are times the experience of politicians is important. There are other times it is irrelevant.
This is one of those times.
County Commissioner John Tobia has filed to run for Supervisor of Elections in 2024. There is nothing in his background that suggests he is capable of managing the elections office.
His entire political career has been legislative, and he has, in fact, shunned leadership opportunities whenever they have been presented.
Running elections takes knowledge and experience. Yes, Tobia has been elected repeatedly, but campaigning is entirely different than governing.
Governing takes more skill.
SOE Tim Bobanic was appointed for a reason- his knowledge and experience in administering elections. It’s been his career since 2009.
That experience is relevant and important to ensuring that Brevard’s elections continue to be properly conducted.
12.14.22- Loose Standards
Some things are absolute. Math tends to be one of those. Unless you are a student in the Kansas University system.
It appears those standards are flexible, or they will be. The KU system is considering droppi9ng the algebra requirement for graduation.
Why? Because too many students (1/3) are failing the class. They then either retake it, some multiple times, or drop out altogether.
Dropping the standard does the student no good. Universities are either getting unprepared students or they have poor instructors.
The best idea would be fixing the problem rather than changing the requirement.
They are looking at alternative math programs, but maybe that should come earlier, like in high school, so that incoming students are ready for the rigors of college.
Otherwise, are we graduating failure?
12.15.22- The Power of Parents
While the education establishment writhes and whines as change comes to school boards across the country, the power of parents getting involved in education politics is evident.
This is thanks in large part to Moms for Liberty and their efforts in Florida and around the country.
The media is rife with stories of this sudden change and its impact on our schools. Blame is focused on conservative republicans and partisan politics. That’s incorrect.
Credit, not blame, goes to parents recognizing how schools were harming their children and taking action to reverse the trend.
Change is coming. We are turning back to normalcy as opposed to agenda driven politics in our schools.
This should be celebrated, not ridiculed.
And the credit, all of the credit, goes to parents becoming aware and getting engaged.
Well done, mom and dad.