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Ed:

I enjoy dialog, and my comments were to show a perspective and parallel of those I believe are misguided. Now, I am on record of believing in local schools, but I am NOT a believer in misguided policies and vision. Why do I make such a bold statement? And why do I see a parallel with Ms. Watt's vision for public education and her endorsement for a slate of candidates?

Ms. Watt and the MIA board has shown itself to be very focused on getting a facility built right from the start. This focus indicates a strange sense of priorities, given the time restraints and limited financial resources typically found in start-up campaigns. This vision, took valuable time and resources that should be geared to the establishment and roll out of a school, namely establishing a quality teaching staff and rigorous core curriculum with an administration that meets stringent objectives.

Bear in mind, I do not believe, Ms. Watt is a professional school administrator because getting a facility built would not be a top priority for a start-up charter high school. I for one believe this board is misguided, and now to read about an elective on hospitality is a testimony to support my position.

We may disagree as to whom we would endorse, but I see Ms. Watt's endorsement as a slate of candidates that encourage real estate development of public facilities, to the detriment of education. And interestingly, Ms. Watt does not see it as I see it but is actually contributing to mediocrity.

I want a successful high school, but I would be more impressed with the success of graduates and their future exploits. And to facilitate such an outcome is NOT to spend time and resources on a building campaign but the execution of fundamentals, like core curriculum and discipline.

See "naysayers", like myself, want a better community based on excellence through execution of fundamentals, NOT a community based on accommodating benefactors or shiny new buildings to be hip and chic or address special requests.

And a major component of continuing success is adherence and understanding fiscal responsibility and a view of priorities that are NOT befuddled with ribbon cutting glitter.

So what does this city need: REFORM, a return to basics or perhaps a remedial summer school program to address deficiencies.

And this discussion could go on....