Tomorrow, many of us will go to the polls to vote, with the big focus the elections for three members of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. These BOE elections always bring out the best in the hyperactive suburban drama, typically featuring an abundance of highly qualified candidates and no shortage of intense issues among a community which remains, by my eyes, dominated with families of school-aged children.
This cycle, the elections take place in the midst of a contentious debate over the “achievement gap,” by race, and the role played by gatekeeping for ability-tracked class offerings in propagating this gap. The BOE recently all-but eliminated gatekeeping for accelerated courses, offering open enrollment. Some critics would go further and eliminate leveled classes entirely, replacing them with differentiated instruction within the individual classes. Some critics would go even further and offer special support to certain students deemed at historical disadvantage.
I am fortunate to know many of the derided gatekeepers in the district and I admire and support all of them. I believe in excellence and I wish the district would push harder in this area, not softer. I’ve read the full writings of those who attack the district over the unequal outcomes and these folks have made it clear they are willing to raze until the outcomes are equal, not merely the opportunities.
But, on the other hand, those who say they promote excellence and who defend levels have acted only to not spend money. Their words are far more constructive than their acts.
I’m disappointed there is no fourth slate, one I would call “Excellence.” This slate would promote levels, would support objective gatekeeping using test scores and teacher recommendations, and would increase spending in the district, including for facilities such as an aquatics center. I recognize my opinions are in the minority, but I believe we promote our home values and our children’s futures by following the same strategy, to invest in the district and to fully engage the competition with our neighboring towns in attracting higher-income migrants.
However the election goes, those of us who promote excellence as the outcome will support the district and the BOE.
Clayton J. Vernon
Maplewood
