January 11, 2005
Often it seems, the discussion about schools and funding turns on the use of a phrase. This or that person is "for the schools", with the implication that anyone with an opposing view is "against the schools". Perhaps a better expresion would be to say there are two groups, one that "will spend every available dollar they can take from government, complain it is still not enough, and waste it on expenses that do nothing to improve the educational experience", while the other side believes "that all children deserve a good education; one that can be provided with careful consideration and planning given to how a finite amount of money is expended".
Depending on which phrasing is chosen, the reader is left with different understandings of the two groups of thought. Anyone who has heard me speak, or read the writings on this website, knows that I am very concerned about how money is being spent - often even called a fiscal conservative.
Names and expressions are easy ways of categorizing. So, everytime in the future I hear about person X being pro-school, I plan to substitute my definition above in its place. To me, it seems more accurate. Further, serving on the School Committee and a State Education Council, I do not like to hear people refer to me as "anti-school". With the time and commitment I have made to improve the education of children, I refuse to accept that label.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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