Due to our publication deadline, this “Think About It” was written before Election Day, so this column was written with no knowledge of who won any races anywhere…
But if you think our political system and democracy today are confounding, rigged, or don’t look out for the needs of the very citizens that make up our nation, look local. Two weeks ago, the Hawai`i Board of Education was close to passing an operating budget for the next two years that would have reduced funding and positions for high school Learning Center Programs.
Learning Centers (LCs) at various public schools provide focused learning in very specific areas, like agriculture, natural resources, business, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Disclaimer alert- I am fortunate to have been a member of Kalaheo High’s Academy of Media & Design for many years. I’ve seen how this program works, excites and encourages students, and helps kids ideate career and life choices. LCs enable our future work force and develop budding leaders of tomorrow.
Dismantling this program or tossing the funding back to the schools would have been problematic, at best, and self-defeating, at worst. But due to quickly-coordinated, grass roots lobbying efforts, the DOE Board listened to students, advisors, administrators, parents, and teachers, and pulled the cutbacks from the upcoming budget. The Board backed off cutting state funds to the 29 existing LCs as students got a first-hand taste of how to conduct rational, inspiring, civil activism and discourse for a cause. How invigorating, respectful, and refreshing.
Not only did numerous 16-18 year-olds keep their beloved school programs on track, they got to be active participants in the democratic process, using logic and perseverance over a very short window of time. And kudos to the Board of Education for not only listening, but also changing its plans and budget.
This “project” was a wonderful victory, spearheaded by kids and mentors, showing that opinions matter when backed with sound reasoning, passion, facts, and logic. Great things happen, sometimes, when people react righteously. Calls went out for testimony submissions, for handcrafted placards to be displayed at the Capitol in opposition of the proposed cuts, and for students and others to rally (and testify) at the BOE meeting. It worked; the system can work. If only the kids could explain this concept to overzealous adults nationwide who must’ve missed vital lessons about civics, ethics, and empathy.
Think about it…