WADE: Promises not kept

I recall when Superintendent Steve Chestnut first arrived in Maricopa, he walked into a hornet’s nest facing budget shortfalls, a daily disappearing student body being shipped to outside school districts and a community not remotely interested in discussing any supplemental funding sources for the district such as an override.

In his time here, he has attempted to lead the district out of its malaise to one of pride and effectiveness. We are not there yet, and he is still facing hurdles every day to make sure our children are provided with the finest education we can provide for them.

We are now facing another legislative debacle in which the underserved, in this case Maricopa Unified School District students, get the shaft and no one speaks up for them.

In the case of Sen. Al Melvin, we at least get to hear his misguided ranting about how the charter-school system or even a voucher system is so much better than the public school system, which I am sure educated, him. At least we know and can look forward to the fact that he will be out of office after the next election cycle.

However, neither his chosen successor Rep. Steve Smith, who actually lives in Maricopa, nor Rep. Kwansman, who I am certain is very busy with his District 1 Congressional run, have weighed-in on Senate Bill 1488. I am not certain whether Rep. Smith’s children attend school in MUSD, however, as a good neighbor; you would think he would be supported of any positive action the district might take to improve itself.

Legislation like SB 1488 appears to stifle growth and disenfranchise educators trying to think outside the box.

I have tried to let the process take its course, what I had hope would be a positive course, and I would not have to put my two cents in, but our legislators silence is deafening.

What is so egregious about wanting to allow the public school system to use whatever positive tools it has to insure our children are all operating on the same level and even playing field. I for one believe the children of MUSD are the future of Maricopa and if we are not willing to invest in them it seems we are then willing to limit our future.