TheCook County School Board is to be commended for responding to concerned community members—parents, students, business leaders, etc., and voting not to go ahead with a four-day school week in 2011.
I, and many others, certainly feel their decision to step back, to work with what they have for now in figuring out how to improve and expand staff development, and how best to enhance the education of Cook County’s students, was the right one. There are many parents and community members who have offered to work with the administration and faculty in whatever ways they are needed to improve communication, discipline where it is lacking, helping to make Cook County Schools a good place to receive an education.
I want to commend, too, Garry Gamble, who, though he does not have children in school, has put much time and effort into obtaining information on the four day school week and presented a fine, informative and balanced power point presentation at the Tuesday evening, June 15 meeting of Concerned Citizens of Cook County at the Grand Marais Senior Center.
There were 25 people in attendance—concerned and interested parents and other community members, and what was very good to see was Superintendent Beth Schwarz and two of the school board members, Leonard Sobanja and Mary Sanders, there to hear what people had to say and to share their perspective.
Garry was the only candidate for commissioner who was in attendance at the school board meeting on Wednesday evening, a very important meeting that affects the entire community, and certainly all students and their parents, and he was there because he cares about what happens in our schools.
I encourage those who wish to be involved in helping Cook County Schools to be the best they can be to attend the next Tuesday evening meeting of Concerned Citizens of Cook County where thoughts, concerns and ideas will be shared.
Rae Piepho
Lutsen
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