Opinion: Friends of public education, its time to speak up – News-Leader

Dr. Pam Hedgpeth Executive Director, Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts| Springfield News-Leader

Public school educators are currently caught in a game of political football, despite the fact that their tireless work is nonpartisan. These professionals are focused on educating children while caring for their health and safety during an ongoing pandemic.

Unfortunately, recent political games are leaving school districts with impossible choices, deepening divisions within our communities and prompting distractions to the learning process. We must call out the political gamesmanship for what it represents: a thinly veiled attack on the very foundation of public education.

I am honored to lead the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD), which represents 75 school districts and over 125,000 students in southwest Missouri. GOCSD is striving to help community leaders, politicians and other patrons to be intentional in recognizing and valuing the work of public schools.

Schools in southwest Missouri are the hub of our communities, providing a sense of enormous pride. Most educators chose this great profession because of their passion for supporting children. They need our support, and they deserve to be celebrated.

For the first time in my 40-year career, I worry for the future of public education. Sadly, the current toxic climate is beginning to weigh on many of our dedicated educators. A recent survey indicates half of teachers in Missouri have considered leaving the profession.

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Unfortunately, teacher salaries in our state remain among the lowest in the country while ongoing litigation, edicts and unrealistic expectations undermine the work. This perfect storm is harming the effort to retain professionals and recruit a new generation of educators.

Last week, the attorney generals letter instructed schools to no longer rely on local public health authorities for guidance. That letter challenges the local control of school boards to make the best decisions for their communities. Public health agencies have unique expertise that schools have long tapped to ensure students and staff are safe from contagious and infectious disease.

Our school leaders and school boards, working in collaboration with local health officials, have demonstrated a commonsense approach to educational policymaking and have a proven record of success. Our children need our school leaders/boards and health experts to work together to make the best local decisions.

More: Local health departments in Missouri halt 'all COVID-19 work' after court ruling, AG letter

In the midst of a novel coronavirus, educators remain focused on maintaining a safe learning environment, ensuring students are prepared for college and/or a career. Thousands of southwest Missouri educators go above and beyond to meet the most basic needs of students, providing the food, clothingand emotional support that are essential to learning. This is the beauty of public education.

Now is the time for friends of public schools to become more vocal. We need to send a clear message of support and denounce the recent divisive actions and rhetoric, which make it more difficult to educate children. We must not be intimidated into silencebut, rather, boldly share support for our local public schools. Far too much is at stake.

Dr. Pam Hedgpeth is the executive director ofGreater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts.

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Opinion: Friends of public education, its time to speak up - News-Leader