Page 4 - The Edge - Fall 2019

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

BY NATE BOWLER

Getting Educated

Election season is upon us. As we
learned at the AASBO September
bi-monthly meeting, a number
of districts will be asking their
communities to support bond or
override elections. Randie Stein of
Stifel Nicolaus reported that the “ask”
for bond authorizations will exceed
$1.6 billion this election cycle. is is
a signi cant number and something
we should take note of. Education in
our state is ever changing and is in our
hands to help shape what our future
will look like.
History says that public education
had a very humble beginning. Public
education in the United States started
very simply in the 17th century in
Boston. Many schools were multi-
age with one classroom and one
teacher. Early public schools focused
on community, religion and family.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that
academics became the focus of public all live in communities that have public schools in them.
schools. Some schools were tax- and community-funded, Have we participated in our own community’s school board
but others were not free to attend. By 1870, all states had tax- meetings or committees? Again, we have unique knowledge
subsidized elementary schools. At that time, the United States of the education system in our state. Are we sharing this with
had one of the highest literacy rates in the world. By 1900, 31 our neighbors, friends, and family members to make educated
states had laws regarding mandatory attendance in school but decisions? Many people in our communities only hear about
only for children 8-14 years old. By 1918, every state required the education system during this time of year when election
students to complete elementary school. time rolls around.
When public education rst began, there were di ering If you have the means to get more involved in educating
opinions on how to fund it. at discussion continues today ourselves and others on those items impacting the kids in
and I think will until the end of time. We have all been impacted our state, I strongly encourage you to do so. e more we can
by public education. As school business o cials, we have a support our teachers and our students the better our world will
unique perspective on education in our state. We see the inner be. It is cliché, but some of those kids will be working on you as
workings of how to manage the resources for teaching kids. your doctor in the future. Or maybe they will be managing your
We see what is needed and we help support those teachers investments when you retire. Or maybe they will be ying you
in the classroom as best we can. We sometimes are locked in to your retirement home in the Bahamas. We will be grateful to
our o ces trying to be compliant with the latest procurement have the best educated doctor, nancial adviser or pilot when
code changes or the latest GASB updates or maybe working we need them.
to submit a state report. Look how far we have come from the Do we have concerns about the state of education in 2020?
early days of education in America. Sure. But if you look back over the last nearly 400 years of public
Whether your district is on the ballot or not or if you support education in the United States, we have made tremendous
or oppose districts going to the ballot for funds, we all can strides. In the coming years we will all appreciate the education
support our children’s education. e way to do this is to (of of our children and want all of our kids to have had the best
all things)...educate. Educate ourselves. Educate others. We opportunities that they can – just as we have had.

4 THE EDGE | FALL 2019