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Thursday, May 19, 2011

David Williams Responds To Courier Journal Schools Editorial.

David Williams responds to schools editorial

I was appalled — but not surprised — at Sunday's editorial attacking my position on neighborhood schools. This newspaper supports a failed busing system and the teachers' union that puts its collective bargaining agreement ahead of a quality education for every child. Unlike Gov. Steve Beshear, I don't take my policy cues from this editorial board, which enrages the out-of-touch elites who sit on it.

Outside of the shameful-yet-predictable use of the race card against a Republican who dares to stand up for common sense, the most outrageous comment referenced “35 years of accomplishment” in Jefferson County's public schools.

Only Beshear's editorial board masters could judge the last 35 years in the Jefferson County school system successful. The absurdity of the student assignment plan is illustrated by the WAVE-3 television report of a 6-year-old girl forced to spend over two hours on a school bus when there are two schools within a mile of her house. If that is your definition of “35 years of accomplishment” then you need to recalibrate your world view. Supporting two-hour bus rides for 6-year-old kids but failing to see that no child is getting a better education because of it is about as out-of-touch as it gets. Jefferson County has 60 percent of the worst performing schools in the state but only 18 percent of the students. Our kids deserve better.

I am committed to giving every child a quality education. I advocate neighborhood schools, voluntary charter schools, a better student testing system and merit pay for teachers who help impoverished students achieve better test scores. Every step of the way I am opposed by this newspaper, the teachers' union bosses and their puppet Steve Beshear.

Time and again conservatives in this city stand up for common sense education reforms that would help children, but are blocked by this cabal of social engineers. Conservatives, parents and political leaders live in fear of being called racist by this newspaper for advocating neighborhood schools. Well, I am not intimidated or cowed by this newspaper or anyone else.

Who is the racist? A political candidate who fights for a better education for every child no matter their color or socioeconomic station, or the editorial writers and self-serving teachers' union bosses who fight for policies that are popular on the liberal cocktail party circuit (where most of the kids have long been enrolled in private schools) but do nothing to help children of all colors obtain the kind of education that will allow them to prosper?

To the people of Jefferson County, my message is simple: This insanity must end. If you are a parent who lives in fear of what kind of education your kid will get in Jefferson County public schools, then join us. If you are a teacher who works hard every day but is stifled by state and local policies that go against your professional judgment on curriculum, then join us. If you are outraged by a school board that raises property taxes and spends precious resources on busing instead of on schools with high poverty rates and scores of at-risk children, then join us.

This year you can elect a governor that won't stand idly by while social engineers experiment on your kid. If you are ready for a leader to stand up to people who threaten your child's future, then I am asking for your vote.

Sen. DAVID WILLIAMS

Burkesville, Ky. 42717

Sen. Williams is the Republican nominee for governor of Kentucky. — Editor

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