One of the challenges we’ve encountered is the inner city public school. These schools are funded by
state and local tax dollars. In more affluent areas, the schools thrive. There are more than enough
children to support the existence of public, private and specialty schools. In more rural areas, like ours,
public city schools can struggle. Budgets are tight, it’s always a struggle to find the best personnel, and
community support can lag if school performance struggles. I know. I am a product of one of these
schools. In my 12 years in Hope Public Schools, I had some wonderful teachers, several mediocre
teachers, and a few that needed to be digging ditches instead of working in the classroom. Such is the
case in the smaller, public city schools. Overall, I felt I received a grade A education. Let me explain.

Education goes far deeper than books and tests. I think we’d all agree, our goal in education is to shape
the child into the responsible, mature man or woman God created them to be. That’s why court cases
like the ones I mentioned above matter to us. There’s more on the line than test scores in each of those
examples. We’re talking about character formation, ethical boundaries and moral aptitude in each of
those. Why do they matter? Because our children matter. Because we, too, were once children and now
hold the positions of influence and leadership our parents, teachers and coaches once held. Whole
education (books + character) has always been the goal. We haven’t always achieved it, but doggone it,
we will continue to try.

There is a fight going on for Hope Public Schools right now. Thank goodness, that doesn’t mean tear gas
and protests in the streets. Our fights happen in the voting booths. But they also take place in the
conversations before voting day. My question to you today is: what side of this fight are you on? Some
would argue that because their child doesn’t attend school in this district, they are against the millage
proposal. “Why should I pay taxes for kids that aren’t my own to go to school?” I think that is a weak
argument that refuses to look at the children. It’s based entirely on money. If you make every decision
based on how much it will cost you, your life will be shallow and sad. Think about the 2100 kids in our
district you can help by paying what amounts to an extra meal out a month. Maybe your argument is
against the tax because you don’t like the way our district has performed in the past. If this is your
stance, you must have your head stuck so deep in the sand you think Reagan is still the President. Hope
Public Schools are exceeding in almost every area. The improvements to our campuses are legion.
Academically, we are on the rise. Many of our sports teams are excelling in conference and even state. I
could go on and on about band, robotics, the Agri Dept, the EAST and STEM programs, the Collegiate Academy, the trade certificates graduates are earning while still in school… Hope Public Schools is not by
any means down and out. They are in every way, up and coming. But they cannot do the work of
training our kids alone. It takes a community to raise a child. Are you in?

Hope has not passed a millage increase in 40 years. This is sad and condemning of us as citizens. Our kids
pay the first debt with this ‘go-along-to-get-along’ plan. They enjoy a standard that is subpar so we can
fix AC units and repair foundations. Teachers get fed up with a community that refuses to support its
school. Administrators lose steam when they see they are in the battle all by themselves. But in the end,
the town pays the ultimate debt. We gain workers, parents, and leaders who are less motivated to work
and lead. The cycle started by non-support is destructive in every way. It doesn’t end in complaint. It
ends when motivated citizens leave town for brighter horizons.

We have an opportunity to send a loud and proud message to our schools, their teachers and, most
importantly, the students: WE ARE WITH YOU AND FOR YOU! Everyone benefits when our schools
benefit. This means better and more jobs, stronger citizens and deeper, lasting impact over generations.
Are you in? Will you vote yes for the millage? Will you vote yes for our future?