Archive for Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Candidate emphasizes parents’ importance in school system
March 17, 2009
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Michael Riley
Age: 59
Address: 1321 Maple Lane
Family: wife, Lea Anna; three grown children who graduated from Lawrence public schools
Occupation: children’s ministries director for The Salvation Army
Michael Riley grew up in and around Lawrence and is a product of Lawrence High. He entered the Air Force and came into contact with an organization for which he now works.
“I met the Salvation Army when I was in the service,” Riley said. He is now SA’s children’s ministry director in Lawrence.
“My wife and I were married here at this church almost 30 years ago, so we’ve been working for the Salvation Army or volunteering for many years.”
After a friend told him the deadline to become a school board candidate was fast approaching, he decided to run. Riley says it startled family and friends.
“There hadn’t been any conversation about it, any thought, any preparation prior to that,” Riley said. “It was just very surprising.”
Riley’s three grown children all went through Lawrence public schools and he says right now he doesn’t have an agenda. He says he does know some issues are on the minds of parents and Lawrence residents.
“Sex education and science standards have come up repeatedly,” Riley said. “These are issues that they’re concerned about and they’re concerned to know what school board members feel about these things.”
Riley has taught Sunday school for about 30 years and he says that gives him an insight into what students are learning in school.
“You can’t understand the Bible without knowledge in other areas,” Riley said. Those include history, science, math and English. “We know how well children are reading, what their comprehension is.”
Budget cuts
Riley says that it would be naive or presumptuous to give a list of items that he would want to see cut because of budget constraints in coming years. He wants to know what those inside district operations think about money saving costs.
“I don’t think people that are outside of the operation should make suggestions,” Riley said. “I think it has to come from within the administration and the faculty and the staff.”
Riley then thinks the school board should take the recommendations and decide what stays and what could potentially go.
“You have to evaluate how is this going to impact our educational goals, how many students is this going to impact and how deeply it’s going to impact them,” Riley said.
A conservative voice
Riley has labeled himself a conservative, something he thinks is important.
“I feel a conservative is a person who supports traditional views and values,” Riley said. “A conservative is a person who supports limited government and decentralized government.”
Those beliefs lead him to maintain that parents should have a primary say in the public school system before the teachers, district, state and federal government.
“I think when I say decentralized, I feel that our primary responsibility is to the parents and then up from there,” Riley said.
He also thinks that it doesn’t matter what a candidate’s job or professional background is. Anyone can hold a place on the school board.
“I hate to see that our political system, our leadership in various areas, is devoted primarily to professionals,” Riley said. “I think an ordinary, average citizen can make a contribution and an important one.”
More like this
- Salvation Army employee seeks school board seat 7 comments / January 28, 2009
- School candidates discuss many issues 1 comment / March 19, 2009
- Candidates discuss goals at public forum 2 comments / March 26, 2009
- Budget crisis on minds of school candidates 3 comments / February 17, 2009
- School board candidates’ key positions restated as election nears 6 comments / April 6, 2009
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17 March 2009
at 11:56 p.m.
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cindik (Anonymous) says…
At least one of his children was home schooled. What is his opinion on that? Is home schooling better for the children or is public schools? I personally feel that the Lawrence School district is one of the best in Kansas.
18 March 2009
at 7:38 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“A conservative is a person who supports limited government and decentralized government.”
Used to. Not anymore.
18 March 2009
at 8:47 a.m.
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deskboy04 (Anonymous) says…
As long as the person that orders the little smokies makes over $90,000 a year…
18 March 2009
at 9:02 a.m.
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jafs (Anonymous) says…
The idea that parents should have more voice in the school system than teachers, etc. is a bit frightening.
In theory, public education exists in order to provide some sort of consistent standard of education for the nation's children.
If parents get to decide what is taught and how it is taught, that fundamental goal can easily be lost.
18 March 2009
at 9:30 a.m.
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pdecell (Paul Decelles) says…
Sorry Mr. Riley,
Parents are NOT the only stake holders here. Society is the stake holder here as well. The tax payers. As a tax payer I want YOUR kids to learn about science as we understand it today. I want them to understand how our society works and how to make intelligent decisions about their lives oh yes that includes some basic sex education by the way.
18 March 2009
at 12:54 p.m.
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avoice (Anonymous) says…
Pdecell: Way to come out and bluntly tell us that public education is State indoctrination 100%. I'm sure we all want to line up for your brand of brainwashing for each and every one of our children. As a parent, I want you to keep your taxpayer opinions out of my child's easily manipulated mind.
18 March 2009
at 2:12 p.m.
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flux (Anonymous) says…
He looks like a monkey.
18 March 2009
at 2:17 p.m.
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beawolf (Anonymous) says…
pdecell (Paul Decelles) says…
“Society is the stake holder here as well.”….
And who you chose you as it's spokesperson? Run for the School Board if you are displeased. However, it might be embarrassing when you only receive 1 vote.
18 March 2009
at 2:19 p.m.
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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
Wow. That was easy. One article in the paper and I already know who won't get my vote. Didn't even have to go to a candidate forum.
18 March 2009
at 2:40 p.m.
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pdecell (Paul Decelles) says…
Beawolf and Avoice,
I am merely pointing out that there are OTHER stakeholders in educating kids-not JUST the parents. Leaping from the notion that kids need a basic foundation as to how society and the world works to the idea of “state indoctrination” (love the scary rhetoric by the way) is just a small amount of hyperbole.
18 March 2009
at 3:15 p.m.
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Budgets_Smudgets (Anonymous) says…
Pdecell was dead spot-on correct, Beawolf and avoice. Both posts.
18 March 2009
at 3:42 p.m.
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kugrad (Anonymous) says…
When you lack any real qualifications for a job and don't want your opponents to question this, it is easy to fall back on the argument that anyone can do the job, no special skills are needed. When you have an agenda, it is simple say you don't have an agenda. When you disagree with what highly-qualified professionals believe and lack the credentials and knowledge to debate the issues, you just argue that parents know best - after all, what would those teachers and other education professionals know?
Don't vote for this man if you want quality public schools or if you value quality oversight of our public schools. Someone who runs on a whim is not your best available choice.
18 March 2009
at 3:51 p.m.
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supertrampofkansas (Anonymous) says…
“Those beliefs lead him to maintain that parents should have a primary say in the public school system before the teachers, district, state and federal government.” - Riley
This is a vague and confusing statement especially when discussing public schools. It is important for parents to be involved with the education process which can result in improvement and strengthen their children's achievement. A great example of this would be the Parents for Public Schools organization. Notice that the message here is about strengthening and enriching the process, not divisive politicking or fear mongering.
18 March 2009
at 4:39 p.m.
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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
good luck and Godspeed Mr. Riley. too often the educrats come from leftist value systems.
voting for this guy, yes.
far better than the schoolboard candidate from Planned Parenthood=parenthood is just an abortion away!.
18 March 2009
at 5:04 p.m.
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beawolf (Anonymous) says…
Budgets_Smudgets (Anonymous) says…
Pdecell was dead spot-on correct,
I don't consider these comments to be “spot on correct”.
“YOUR kids to learn about science as we understand it today. “…. Who is we and who says you are correct?
“oh yes that includes some basic sex education by the way.”…. And as a parent I believe sex education (other than basic biological concepts) should be taught at home.
Again, you have a chance to express your (society's) concern when you vote for the school board, attend their meetings and interact with school administrators.