11-14-1988 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Education is frequently a topic this election season. It is a generally safe topic and one which engenders interest from constituents. Most people see a direct correlation between education and opportunity, between education and the solution to social problems and between education and a full human life. In fact, President Lyndon Johnson articulated a typical -.merlcan viewpoint when he said, "At the desk where I sit, I have learned one great truth. The answer for all our national problems - the answer `or all the problems of the world - comes down to a single word. The word is education." To be sure, there is an abiding faith that education is key to our way of life - and it is. All around us are examples of the opportunities made available by education and those lost by a lack of education. As parents and educators we recognize that truth and present it ..s a constant theme to our children and students. We also turn to the schools in the face of social problems and issues. Whether the matter is safe driving, chemical abuse or a host of other social concerns, there is belief that schools can lead to solution. Finally. we also recognize the role of education in leading to a full human life. Not only assisting young people to secure career opportu- nity and responsibly deal with the challenges of society, but also helping each student to appreciate the broader dimensions to life is integral to the role of the school. What I mean by broader dimensions are such refinements for the students as wanting to read good literature, appreciating art and music, enjoying thoughtlul conversation, developing loyalties and friendships and having a moral irection. It is tempting to focus the education effort only rikU' I SCHOOL BOARD David McKo%n. Chairman 479-1692 Don Anderson. Vice Chairman 479-I810 Lucie Taylor, Treasurer 473-1189 Kitty Crosby. Clerk 478-6037 Jim Franklin, Director 479-2130 John Maresh. Director 475-3197 on career opportunities. Then education becomes training. It is expedient to focus the attention f schools only on social ills. Then education becomes problem. solving. Both career opportunities and social issues are worthy of the school's attention. Similarly, attention to the refinements of human conduct is equally important. In fact, the really successful school deals with all of these goals: career opportunities, social concerns and human refine- ments. How empty education would be if it only served one goal. Too often the rhetoric of the campaign trail is problem oriented. Helping students prepare for jobs and combat drug abuse is impor- tant work for the schools. However, there is so much more that is part of a first-rate education. Let's not settle for defining schools too narrowly. The result can only be narrow graduates. Dr. Thomts B. Mich Superintendent Teachers Barry Van Wyk and Michael Preble pose with Guy Dowd, 1986 National Teacher of the Year. Mr. Dowd addressed the Orono teachers on October 24. His talk focused on the self- esteem of students.