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Where I Stand, Where We Are Going….
Mike McCormick, candidate for USD #262 BOE
Masks
I think the BOEs latest decision to break down the information and stats by school and by week is a good, sound, common-sense decision. WHEN the numbers call for it, we should require masks in that school(s) for one big reason: to keep kids and teachers IN school as much as possible. We need to have a paradigm shift on this issue- when needed, I wear a mask not for my protection as much as others. We need to think of others first. I don’t know what other's health issues may be.
Fully Required Vaccines (Kids or Adults)
I do not support this concept. This is a personal decision for individuals and families. Covid-19 is unlike anything we have seen. We do not know what the future will bring from this pandemic. We do not know with 100% certainty if people who contacted Covid will have long-term damage 5-10 years from now, and we don’t know with 100% certainty if vaccinated people may have health complications from the vaccines 5-10 years from now. I have chosen the vaccine.
I have good friends who haven’t. It’s a choice for you to make, not someone else.
Some people believe that forced “herd immunity” is the way to beat this pandemic. Forced exposure (herd immunity) is really no different than forced vaccines. Neither side has the right to force that on the other. I have friends who have caught the virus, and it was no big deal, some who said it was horrible and would never wish it on anyone, and some perfectly healthy friends who have died. You have to look at the best situation for you after visiting your personal doctor, not reading the web.
CRT (Critical Race Theory)
I am not for making this a part of the “district’s curriculum”. First of all, the Kansas Department of Education said in July they are not for this and have no plans to do so. It is a political platform that starts a dangerous precedent. I am for a “zero tolerance” on bullying and prejudice against others. We need to reinforce common sense values of kindness and respect for others. It’s not a separate curriculum; it is a daily part of healthy humanity. Our teachers and students already have plenty of their plate educationally without adding political platforms to the plate as well.
Issues Going Forward over the Next Four Years
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Starting a new cycle of School Accreditation, developing clear and sound goals and expectations, and seeing it through to completion.
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Recovering lost educational ground due to “Covid years”.
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Be aware and monitor the social/emotional needs of our kids and help provide support as needed.
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Additional program help for low-performing students, engage parents in that process as needed.
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Continuing to prepare graduates for higher education or the workforce. It is crucial for graduates to have a mindset toward a “career,” not a “job”. Our graduates also need to have the skills needed to pivot to other career options as job needs and skillsets change down the road. Not many people work in one place for 40 years anymore.
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Continue to make Reading an extremely high priority in our schools. If a student is not successful in reading, it is almost impossible to succeed in other subjects as they grow in the school system.
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Continue to “hook” students into successful relationships with teachers and peers and emphasize their personal successes in school. Kids who do not find success in something tend to give up easier.
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Possibly looking at expanding our Pre-K programming options. This may be a tool that could reinforce reading goals.
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Discuss and implement plans for the upcoming boom in the housing market as that affects schools. If and when we add buildings, try to reduce classroom sizes.
As you can see, there are a lot of challenges ahead besides just the “hot topics” I do not claim to have all the answers, but I will look closely at all options so that ALL kids will be successful. This I can say for sure. I will look at each part along the way from the perspective of what is best for kids. I will take in the opinions from all sides and make decisions based on common sense, not politics.