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As a landowner, taxpayer, and parent of school aged children, I am part of the ongoing debate among others like me about how our schools have changed for both the better and more times than not the worst. The complaints often range around behavior that is now tolerated on school campuses that would have never been allowed in years past. Most of the time these concerns are voiced about students behavior and the tolerance exhibited by school leaders, or policy that is changed without much if any public discussion. I want to encourage parents to attend your local school board meetings and interact, or speak up when the opportunity presents itself in a respectful and professional manner.
One of my biggest complaints, and I believe an easy problem to correct, is the use of tobacco on our school campuses.
Posted in numerous obvious places there are signs well maintained and conspicuous that read "No use of tobacco on the school property" in some form, many time reading " no possession" with warnings of removal or revocation of the right to visit these publicly owned properties.
Many time this same sign or a sign very near also instruct those visiting that firearms and illicit drugs are also not allowed on these premises.
Regardless and in complete disregard for these posted rules without fail there are dozens of adults at every event standing just outside the gymnasium, football or soccer field smoking in plain site and discarding their spent butts on the school sidewalk for the custodian to pick up.
Inside these events dads, brothers and god forbid moms and sisters using a smokeless version and spitting in trash cans or leaving bottles of brown saliva in the bleachers for someone else to clean up.
I have approached school officials about this example. I'm not a big rule stickler, but I do believe, when we as a school district, county, state or federal government create rules that are important enough to post signs and announce the rules prior to any event, we should enforce the rules. Take these signs down and stop making that announcement if, as school officials, you are not even going to attempt to enforce the rule. It's not hard to see the example this sets for the students which attend these events as well.
What if we look past the other 2 rules posted as well, weapons and drugs. Our young men and women are watching, and watching closely. Should our legacy as the school administrators, and parents of today be, only following the rules that do not make us uncomfortable?
Should we expect anything different from young people who watch our selfish and inconsiderate ways on display?
Bernard Bookman
Belpre