This past weekend, members of the Board of Education were able to celebrate a substantial success in our district -- the dedication ceremony of the Paul J. Olson Elementary School on Madison's far west side in Linden Park.
District administrators mingled with school staff, parents and local media. Mr. Olson's family members gave speeches honoring their father. Various dignitaries shared words of encouragement to students and substantial pride. Music was performed intermittently, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the 4th and 5th grade students.
It is not often in public school districts that there are opportunities to enjoy such a celebration.
And yet this was all possible because of a majority of citizens voted for a substantial investment toward what is always good for a community -- building a new public school.
As an elected official, I can honestly say that when citizens vote to increase taxes on behalf of educating OTHER people's children it is a wonderful outcome of democracy.
I hope readers in the metropolitan area are able to visit Paul Olson Elementary. It is really beautiful and one of the state's best environmentally-sound school buildings. As one parent expressed to me, he never expected it to be this amazing, not in a school at least.
We can all breathe a sign of relief this year. Are better times ahead? Not if we keep waiting for the state to fix funding public education. For a in-depth look at how others in the country have started out their school years, take a look here: ABC News: Schools Open With Fewer Teachers, Sports, Buses.
