Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Owego-Apalachin School Board
 I would like to mention that I sincerely believe the Central Administration has moved forward with the International Baccalaureate-based Middle Years program because they believe it is a good program, and that they desire the best for our children. They could not have spent so much time and effort if they did not believe in the program.  
 Having said that, there is a comparison that I would like to make.  In our jobs we often develop strong opinions of an idea or business opportunity that we are confronted with. These can be ideas we either favor or disapprove. Most of us will state our opinion and promote what we believe is the correct way to proceed with the idea. However, no matter how strongly our opinions are regarding the idea, the "boss" has the ‘final say' and once the decision is made there are only three options.  #1 Conform to your boss's decision; #2 Resign from your position or #3 Continue in a way insubordinate to your supervisor and risk losing your employment.
 My comparison is intended to be a reminder to the administration, that despite all good intent, if your boss says ‘No' to your idea, the answer is "No." As mentioned, the community is the school district's "boss,"delegated through our elected representatives on the Board of Education. The community's decisions are supposed to be the ‘final say.'  
 As a community we need to remember that we have the authority to be directly involved in the decision making process with our elected Board of Education. Each of us can make a difference; we just need to share our opinions and thoughts with the Board of Education. I encourage the entire community to get involved, particularly parents of present and future children in our schools.  Further, I challenge the Board of Education to become the checks and balances of the administration that we have entrusted them to be. 
                   Sincerely, Denis McCann