26 min

Staying the course on the school board Polk Lore

    • Society & Culture

Why does Polk Lore devote so much attention to education? Because it’s one of the few things that just about everyone in the county, no matter their political persuasion, agrees is a source of pride. Polk Schools isn’t a perfect institution, of course. But overall, our little school system’s teachers, staff, and board warrant the widespread support they get from the public, from our County Commission, and from the folks who rate schools. There’s a reason why most everyone objects to the recent move by the state legislature to shove the square peg of partisan elections into the round hole of Polk Schools. As I asked State Representative Jake Johnson a few weeks ago on this podcast: why fix something that ain’t broke?

I think that was a fair question. Just look at the low interest in replacing the incumbents on the board. Cindy Allen has been on that board since she was appointed to fill the White Oak seat in 2001, and as you’ll find out, she had no trouble finding enough signatures to get herself on the November ballot, despite the pressure to run within the party system. We talked about that decision, her overall vision for the schools, and what to do about smartphones in the classroom, at the Feagan Law offices in Columbus, where she works as a paralegal, on Groundhog Day.



Mentioned in this episode

Polk Schools post-COVID performance

Why does Polk Lore devote so much attention to education? Because it’s one of the few things that just about everyone in the county, no matter their political persuasion, agrees is a source of pride. Polk Schools isn’t a perfect institution, of course. But overall, our little school system’s teachers, staff, and board warrant the widespread support they get from the public, from our County Commission, and from the folks who rate schools. There’s a reason why most everyone objects to the recent move by the state legislature to shove the square peg of partisan elections into the round hole of Polk Schools. As I asked State Representative Jake Johnson a few weeks ago on this podcast: why fix something that ain’t broke?

I think that was a fair question. Just look at the low interest in replacing the incumbents on the board. Cindy Allen has been on that board since she was appointed to fill the White Oak seat in 2001, and as you’ll find out, she had no trouble finding enough signatures to get herself on the November ballot, despite the pressure to run within the party system. We talked about that decision, her overall vision for the schools, and what to do about smartphones in the classroom, at the Feagan Law offices in Columbus, where she works as a paralegal, on Groundhog Day.



Mentioned in this episode

Polk Schools post-COVID performance

26 min

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

This American Life
This American Life
Fail Better with David Duchovny
Lemonada Media
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Wild Card with Rachel Martin
NPR