Some school board decisions in 2015 have energized many people in the WW-P School District. At the board meetings we have witnessed strong emotional responses to decisions affecting school exams and gifted programs. I admire and respect the people who bring their passion to these issues. This passion demonstrates how strongly people feel about their children and their children’s education.
However, the less productive companion to this passion is the anger some people express. This anger often brings personal insults and less persuasive arguments to the debate. Rarely does a productive dialogue or an effective solution follow an angry exchange. People need to temper their anger and bring collaborative solutions to all areas of life, not just school board issues.
As a member of the board, I welcome and encourage people to engage the issues and provide the board with their perspective. This should include e-mails or individual conversations with board members, in addition to public comments at board meetings. This feedback, especially when it offers alternative solutions, provides useful and helpful improvements to controversial proposals.
Reflection and temperance often produce thoughtful and productive solutions to situations. For example, when changes were made to limit option 2 a couple of years ago, parent feedback helped the board make useful adjustments – allowing more flexibility – that were in the best interest of the students. By all means, bring passion to your children’s education, but channel that passion into productive solutions, and help make our schools greater.
Scott Powell
West Windsor
Powell is an incumbent running for the WW-P School Board
