I'm attaching it here for anyone who is of the same opinion. But what's most important is voice your opinion to your school trustee candidates. Even if your kids have graduated, just remember, the local schools put out kids that your kids will have to live with. :)

Dear Trustee:

I am very disappointed with the new policy proposal regarding Specialty Programs. I applaud the board’s willingness to look at change for better equity, access and integration of our community. But this policy fails to address the real issue of not having strong programs at our local schools. There is no funding for real solutions, and will only hurt the overall quality of education across the board. As a parent, I cannot accept that.

Removing entrance assessment seems to address the problem of access. But it’s a hurried solution without any deep thoughts. an important function of assemment is understanding student needs, this way teachers have an understanding at how they can deliver content best suited for student needs. When you remove assessment and move to a lottery system, teachers will take on students from all levels. But you have not provided any funding for additional resources, how do you ensure the success of our teachers and therefore the quality of education the students so very seek? So your solution to equitable access is lowering quality for all? This just defeats the purpose of providing quality education to all students. What we need to do is replicate the success of these centralized schools at the local school level.

What’s laughable is that funding will be directed at building a centralized application portal, instead of much needed funding for programs. For families that are historically underrepresented, an important barrier is location. But there is no funding to provide travel expenses. Aa parents, we want our children to attend our local schools with quality programs . Put funding into that. If you want to build a portal, put funding into building a centralized content portal to support teachers in their course planning and delivery. Help our teachers to be successful! Put funding towards making Math, Science, and Stem teachers a specialized role, like music and arts teachers. Put funding into improving equipment and facilities at underdeveloped schools. We want real change, real solution, real results! Not a bandage solution, in the name of equity, that divids all of us.

Please voice our objections to the board on this proposal, or we will be electing a candidate who will deliver that.

Yours truly,