"Loud few' have an opinion, too

I think a magnet school would be great and also have one son that would no doubt benefit from it. Because some of us were/are opposed to the SSA does not mean that we don't have highly intelligent children as well. What the Board never seemed to comprehend was that most of the people that were opposed (are) the ones concerned about our childrens education.

1) It was well more than a few.

2) Felt had to be LOUD to get our point across, which we knew was not going to be heard because the Boards mind was already made up. They (board)don't just bring up suggestions without already having made a decision on it and we knew it.

It was a plea with passion.

"Johnson said that there may be individual constituencies with strong objections.

"The negative may be from that loud few, like it was with that other issue," said Johnson, apparently referring to the controversial school dress code enacted this year, which drew sharp complaints from some parents."

The difference, Ms. Johnson, is that this proposal directly addresses education--not appearance or what you consider to be exceptable attire. Many of the parents who objected to standard attire had students who were on the Principal's list and Honor Roll and were involved in many extracurricular activities. They would actually be the ones, regardless of socio-economic status, who would be eligible for a magnet school. Therefore, to correct you, many of these parents would actually be the ones supporting this concept.

You just demonstrated how out of touch the school board is with their "constituents".

"Few"... Isn't it hilarious how a school board member would use the word "few" to defend their stance on a position. If Ms. Johnson understood that only a "few" children dressed inappropriately before she and others on the board made a unanimously unconscious decision, we could see eye to eye for once. But I suppose she would never mention a "few" people being a problem when it came to the need for a dress code.

Please, let's move on and quit talking down to the group of highly concerned parents whose children were academically successful and took time out of their schedules to voice their concerns. Is there any wonder parents, students, and fellow teachers are apathetic? Obviously when you disagree with complacency you are then singled out as "the loud few". I've always heard the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and those who stand for nothing, will fall for anything.

The only loud few I know are this select group of school board members who represent a figment of their imagination rather than the population at large.

I would actually consider running except for 2 reasons:

1. I do not live in her district,nor in the other districts who were re-elected recently.

2. My kids will be out after this year so I do not consider it to be my place to make decisions for other people's kids. I continue to feel that board members should be required to have kids actually enrolled in Bedford County Public Schools. Even if I had grandkids enrolled, I would not be comfortable putting my "out-of-date stamp" on their education. Their parents should be deciding their education.

I also believe that many parents have been attempting to make a difference by stating their opinions even if they are not heard! Why is it so difficult for board members to send surveys home to get parent input? If they really cared so much, they would make that effort.