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Comments from Brainerd
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“We have to agree on public educa-tion. We need a bipartisan agree-ment that this is what education is all about. Kids aren’t political footballs.”
-- Brainerd participant
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Thirty-five people showed up at Central Lakes College in Brainerd on Jan. 26 to discuss public education. Below is a summary of their comments:
- The Brainerd schools do a good job educating the top 25 percent of students. They offer a quality curriculum in a safe environment with well-trained staff.
- Challenges include budget cuts, rising class sizes, students with more social and emotional needs, unfunded federal mandates and program cuts. Early childhood programs have been cut, but should be a permanent part of the K-12 system.
- The community has quite a bit of socioeconomic diversity. Families who are struggling to survive are less involved with the schools.
- School funding in Minnesota is inequitable. Children around the state don’t have the same educational opportunities because funding varies by district.
- We have to agree on public education. We need a bipartisan agreement that this is what education is all about. Kids aren’t political footballs.
- School buildings are deteriorating. They should provide an environment that’s conducive to education.
- Brainerd schools are educating “someone else’s workforce” – many graduates move to the Twin Cities, leading to a lack of qualified workers locally. Students should be more aware of careers locally.
- Schools, parents and communities should connect more on the subject of education. There should be more partnerships between the business community and schools, and more community coalitions on education. The school needs to tell the community more about what’s happening there.
- Students need to learn more life skills at an earlier age. Life skills, such as balancing a checkbook, should be required, not electives. Not every child will be a four-year college graduate, but all will need to be prepared for work and be able to function in society.
- Students and businesses need technical education in the schools. Only a small percentage of the workforce in the Brainerd area has a four-year degree.
- There should be accountability for schools but it shouldn’t be punitive. The community can’t be complacent about its schools.
- There’s a lack of respect for school staff. Disrespect of staff seems to be unimportant and leads to violence and bullying.
- Schools should provide a diversified learning experience with a broad range of subjects. Kids should learn more than the 3R’s.
- The community needs political leaders who show a true concern for education and the needs of schools. Voters should know the views of their elected officials.
- You can’t compare education to business. Students aren’t products; they have individual differences.
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