School Committee Meeting Observations

Dear Editor,

I write this letter to the editor {of which I hope you post on your blog} as a concerned citizen of Lisbon. As I watched the Lisbon School Committee meeting of September 8th, 2008 on TV, I observed that the meeting went without much of a hitch, with your usual citizens showing up and speaking whats on their minds, which is of course their individual right to do so. But I must say I have to bring attention to an individual that was in my opinion rude and a little unruly in his comments toward Chairman Prudence Grant.

It was clear that he had some sort of an issue with the school system. But to the person watching at home, it seemed like just another person, very unprofessionally, ranting and wasting the time of the committee. He gave no clear cut comment on why he had a problem. Then he stepped over the line when he more or less accused Ms. Grant of not caring about the kids enough to donate even a weekend of time or money. When actually, as it would be with any serious educator, these statements couldn't be farther from the truth.

Prudence taught school to the children of Lisbon for many years. She has helped plant countless seeds of knowledge, for lack of a better analogy, into these kid's minds. Being an educator, especially the K-12 years, doesn't mean you punch in at 7 and punch out at 3 and go home. You spend time grading papers at home, planning your days at home due to lack of time at school on some occasions, staying after school to help kids that need it, supporting kids at games after school, and spending your own money on classroom supplies because sometimes there just isn't enough money in the budget for all the little things, ETC ETC ETC.

I could go on but I know you get my point. I wonder if you added up all the extra time that she has spent throughout her teaching career (that she didn't have to spend on helping our kids) if it would end up equaling atleast a weekend of volunteer time. I think it would be much, much more times 1000. One should think before opening thy mouth to speak {Especially when aired on TV}. What's that old saying about opening mouth and removing all doubt.

Thanks,

Concerned Lisbon Citizen