Last Tuesday, I was livid.  It had nothing to do with reassignment plans, it was an IEP issue.   It was deeply personal, and I had a little boy in tears on the second day of school.  After discussion in the main office with teachers and administrators, I believe the problem was resolved, but a deeper issue remained to be taken up with others later.

On Wednesday, I admit my desire to take a Red4Ed selfie was basically zero.   My school dropped the ball.  My child had another terrible start to a new a school year despite my best efforts.  I know what the problem is, but I’m meeting resistance to get it resolved.  It was hard to be a public education advocate that week.  To be honest, I did skip the selfie.

So why defend something that can screw up so royally?  For me, it’s about the big picture.  No school system is perfect.  However, I believe in the mission of public education.  I believe in educating all children. I believe in equality and diversity and community, and public schools have the potential to provide that.  I believe that public education is the best investment we can make for our future.

If you scratch the surface of so many problems, just below lurks a lack of funding.  In so many ways, it is at the root of so many problems, both big and small.  Which is why despite anger over IEPs, a frustrating bureaucracy, or even reassignment, we must continue to advocate.   We need to channel our anger.  If we can get 150 parents to come out to a meeting about reassignment , we need to get even more to come out when commissioners decide our budget.   We need those numbers to lobby our legislature to fully fund our public schools.  Most of all we need everyone to vote for those who will defend public education this coming election.