It was true then, it's true now.

Last year I submitted the following commentary in support of our millage renewal, it was less a request and more a reminder of what we all want from our schools. Voters passed the renewal with a 74% margin. Once again, voters will be looking to the bottom of the ballot, and in the case of Terri McCardell for a pen to write in her name, for two seats on the Birmingham school board. It's an important choice and worth the effort to learn where the candidates stand. I hope you'll find my views as expressed in this blog worth supporting with one of your two votes.

Amidst sometimes hostile criticism of public education, Birmingham Public Schools enjoys an abundance of extraordinary accomplishments and benchmark performances. Our district demonstrates just how well public education can be done. Our goals are clear and our children’s accomplishments are great. The continued stewardship of the district mission rests in the hands of local voters and taxpayers who support BPS schools. The benefits of continued financial support reach beyond the obvious impact on the families who send their children to our schools. Those benefits include strong property values, vibrant community education, senior programs and much more. My two children attend what I consider to be one of the best school systems in the nation, public or private. Every day my children expand their knowledge of the world and add to my appreciation of how a community can support and nurture every child’s future through visionary leadership. The depth and breadth of programs at BPS help ensure that our children have the foundation to positively influence their future, rather than passively accept what others may impart as their “vision.” A school millage proposal, which is placed as the last item on the November ballot, may just be the single most important vote you make in this election - cast your vote with a clear vision of what you want the future to look like. It affects us all.