I was criticized recently for not sharing information about my position on school items where I had encouraged Beaumont Cherry Valley residents to attend the Open Forum for candidates to hear my position. I have presented my thoughts here on one problem facing our schools, overcrowded classrooms. So, addressing this issue, here is my opening introduction.
Good Evening Everyone, my name is Edward Brown, thank you all for coming. I’m here tonight on behalf of my two elementary age children attending Sundance and on behalf of numerous kids I have either coached in Beaumont Youth Baseball or camped with in the woods thru the Boy Scouts of America as a Den Leader. These experiences have shaped my opinion on the learning process of young kids. Kids thrive on interaction and team building activities. They love attention and can’t seem to get enough of it. However, budget cuts, one of our biggest problems, have forced schools nationwide to overcrowd our classrooms with minimal supplies and support to the point that the learning environment and learning process are being compromised which carries many serious consequences for society.
Solving this problem will require new thinking and hard work on the part of educators, parents, administrators and students. I’m not worried and I’ll tell you why. Construction is already underway. I’ve seen teams of our teachers at school board meetings the past month unveiling plans to improve the educational process thru a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (BPIS) system the district is implementing to reduce behavioral issues that interfere with the learning process. And last nite a team of Instructional support coaches, Laura Roman, Ian Young, Kelly Boatman and Ingrid Lin presented the district with updates on the efforts of theirs to work with new teachers to support them so that they are more effective in their first year of teaching. Administrators have planned a community open forum to address educational issues that face our community and it is scheduled for October 18th at the BHS Theatre at 6:30pm. Our parents are more involved, aware and socially connected than at any time in the past and finally students in our district at many age levels are scoring above the national average on standardized tests. I’m not saying that we have all our bases covered and knots tied tight. There is a long trail ahead, but as a former scout and US military trail veteran I’m ready to take the journey with you Beaumont, Let’s Do This.
