BY PAT LAVINS

During the citizen input at Tuesday’s  Indian River School Board meeting, the issues of common core curriculum initiative and some provisions of the teachers’ contract were addressed.  The citizen input which was over an hour in length highlighted that the Indian River County School District has communications problems that should be addressed in advance of the coming new school year.

Stephanie Austin who identified herself as a former teacher began the discussion by claiming that “Federalism is a pattern emerging in our community and it is in direct violation of the 10^th amendment.”  She cited as examples such diverse topics of the Seven50 initiative, the Affordable Health Care Act and Common Core.  She did not, however, explain any commonality between the programs. 

Austin said her main area of concern was that Common Core might evolve into a data base that would establish career tracks for our children and that the use of wireless technology was a health threat to our children.  There was no evidence provided as to what lead her to have such positions. Nor did she identify any correlation between the use of technology and implementation of standards for teachers which is the essence of the Common Core initiative.

It was the further assertion of Austin that the implementation of Common Core would eliminate county lines.  She, however, did not indicate by what authority this could occur.

The next speaker was Janet Campbell who expressed concern that the local school districts would no longer be able to have input to curriculum development as Common Core is implemented.  It was her fear that the parents would no longer be a participant in the education of their children.  Like the previous speaker though she gave no indication as to how the implementation of Common Core would accomplish such a goal which has no public support.

It was the position of Phyllis Frye that the Federal government would have control of education.  It was her assertion that “we have forgotten the lessons of tyranny” if Federal standards are adopted throughout the nation.

When Rosemarie Wilson rose to speak, she asserted that “socialism was creeping into our county.”  Like those who had preceded her she provided no indication of how this could occur with the Common Core initiative which essentially does nothing more than provide standards for the teaching of English, history and science.

None of those who spoke against Common Core identified whether or not they had children in the public school system.

Carol Johnson, school board member who chaired the meeting, then reminded the audience that the school board had not made a decision on whether or not they wanted to be a participant in the Seven50 initiative.  This initiative is intended to provide local governments the opportunity to learn from one another to ensure more efficient and effective use of tax dollars.  The Seven50 initiative only affects the southern counties of Florida and the Vero Beach City Council and County Commission have previously documented that Indian River County would not be a participant in addressing issues from a common sense regional approach.

Common Core has been adopted by forty five states and the District of Columbia without any opposition.  The initiative sponsored by the U. S. Department of Education has the support of the National Governors Association because of its goal of preparing students for college and 21^st century workforce needs.  The initiative was endorsed by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and has the support of teachers’ organization and school board associations throughout the country.
Adams wrapped by this segment of the public meeting by stating that more information would be provided to the public via the district’s educational channel.