From Kyle Baker

Monroe

To the Editor: 

On April 5th, I intend to cast my vote for Rich Deprez, Dylan McGuire, and Eric Eckdhal for the Monroe School Board. I hope you will too.

Rich and Dylan have a strong record of doing what’s right for our students and for our community — without being distracted by outside issues sweeping some parts of the nation. Their principled, focused approach to the fundamentals of ensuring our children get a good education, while remaining strong stewards of our tax dollars makes supporting them a clear and sensible choice for reelection. In the last two turbulent years especially, both have served as steady, reasoned voices on the board and supported policies meant to take all community viewpoints into account, while resisting making decisions based on ideologies sweeping either end of the political spectrum.

I have every reason to believe, given his stated commitment to focusing on the fundamentals of education — community partnerships; facilities; and staff acquisition and retention — that Eric Eckdhal will make an excellent addition to the board as well.

Is there ample room for improvement in the district, as some contend?  Absolutely — without question — but what we need are individuals whose focus is on achieving that progress — individuals like Rich, Dylan, and Eric.  What we don’t need are candidates with divisive agendas, inspired and supported by culture warriors from outside the community.

Improvement in the district will only occur if all of us—teachers; parents; students; community leaders and school board members work together. If you believe this, the choice for school board is clear.  Vote for those candidates who can build coalitions to improve our schools—not culture warriors intent on destroying them from within. Vote Deprez,  McGuire and Eckdhal.