State Takeover

I have attended several of the meetings for State Takeover.  But tonight I spoke.  I will post my thoughts on the whole topic soon, but for now I will share my brief 3 minute speech.

 

Greetings Dr. Bennett, Dr. WHite, and members of the Board.

My name is Annie Roof. 

I stand before you today for many personal reasons.  First, This is my community.  I was born and raised in Irvington, and my husband and I chose to raise our family here as well.  I am also, and will always be a Howe HS Hornet.  My siblings were Hornets, my uncles, and my parents. In fact, if it weren't for Howe I wouldn't be here, as Howe is where my parents met.  My children wouldn't be here either, as this is where I met my husband.   I graduated in 1995, the year Howe (temporarily)  closed.  My interest in IPS is more than just my past.  I have 3 children.  Two who are current IPS students, and one in preschool.  THe diversity of programs that IPS offers is unmatchable.  No one can compare.  My oldest child is flourishing in the magnet school she attends.  My son, however, needed something a little more.  Next year he heads off to Sidener, the top rated school in I-Step scores for the entire state.  And then there's my youngest.  She has received special services through IPS and will continue to do so.  She works with amazing therapist in hopes to get her ready to start kindergarten in the fall of 2012.  Where else can all these needs  be met in one district?   

And lastly, I am an IPS school board member.  To me, it is very scary to take local government from these communities.  There is a school board that the community can go to, and meetings where they can speak.  I know at times they don't feel they are listened to.  Believe me, I know that.  I didn't join the Board because I thought it was perfect.  But these communities, evident by these meetings, are involved, they care, and they want that voice.  Communities ABSOLUTELY should have local control over their schools.  It has been brought up before, but I also am concerned with the lack of diversity on your board.  That board does not represent IPS and who we are.  

 But, there are problems.  Make no mistake we got in this position for a reason.  Poor decisions have been made.   IPS and the decisions made have often been described as changing the deck chairs on the sinking Titanic.   If that's true, then the State is the life boat.  We never thought we needed it, it's never been tested, and no one knows what to do once we all get on it.  

Because of that I can't choose any of your numbers.  But I have 3 of my own.  

1) No matter what decisions are made, the absolute must is putting the needs of children first.  Not businesses, not politicians, not someone in a fancy suit.  But the children of this city.  The children that no matter how many times they are lumped with the likeness of everyone else, I want to assure you they are not.  

2) If anyone wants success out of these schools, they have to include input from the community, parents, teachers, but most of all, the students.  It doesn't work starting from the top down.  

3) Stability.  Stability is simply a must.

I want to thank you for your time tonight.  I want to thank you for hosting these meetings.  And I want to thank this great community for coming.