School superintendents need to find their spines regarding Obama speech
| Friday, Sep 04 2009 07:32 PM
Last Updated Friday, Sep 04 2009 07:34 PM
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Some talk show hosts are advocating that parents keep their children at home on Tuesday if the school they attend plans to air President Obama's speech to America's school children. Even worse, selected school administrators in Kern County are going to relent to these whack jobs and refuse to broadcast the message.
Let's be real honest on what this is all about. Do you think that the same objection to a presidential classroom speech would have been made if John McCain had been elected president?
Obama is a Democrat and that is an alien culture in this community. I spent 40 years in education and can give countless examples of politicians addressing our students.
I have been in the classroom when Congressman Bill Thomas and his successor, Kevin McCarthy, have spoken. Governors have visited our campuses. George H.W. Bush addressed the children of America via satellite feed during his presidency.
I have welcomed state Sen. Roy Ashburn to speak to classes and have hosted panels of legislators discuss the values of the United States Constitution.
In 2000, as Superintendent of the Kern High School District, I introduced Dick Cheney to speak to some students at Bakersfield High School. It was part of a political fundraiser for the Republican Party.
What if I had said "No, you can't speak to the students, we don't want partisan politics in our classrooms"? An outcry from the community would have ensued, resulting in a crowded KHSD board room. The furor might have been akin to something really important, like the elimination of junior varsity athletics.
And what does Barack Obama want to say to our children? The message and the speech are both available. It goes something like this: "Kids, be responsible for your own lives, stay in school. Do your homework and be responsible citizens. America needs you."
What a dangerous message.
You see, I do not blame the whack jobs. They are what they are. What amazes me is the educational leaders of Kern County who show no leadership.
I know you are frightened, but do the right thing, superintendents. If you really believe that all material in the classroom must first be screened, then you are morally obligated to be consistent in your stand and do the following: Eliminate all guest speakers; cut the newspaper along with all other media sources from the classroom; and make sure that all teachers are given talking points cleared by the school board before any class discussion ever occurs.
And for those schools that have a Celebrity Readers program in which community members select an age-appropriate book to read and discuss with children, you must cease and desist such a practice immediately.
Card-carrying Democrats like my wife and me have been sneaking in to primary classrooms and voluntarily bestowing our philosophy on your children.
William Hatcher is the retired Superintendent of the Kern High School District. He, along with his wife Carol, work both nationally and internationally in the cause of civic education.
