Tom Shepherd

Grade 8

Heritage MS

Why is a High Quality Education Necessary for the Public Good?

It is no hidden fact that Ohio has a problem on their hands concerning the public schools’ funding. I have one foreign language to choose. I’ve never had health class, life skills, wood shop, or typing. I have seven periods a day, and one is a study hall. Extra curricular activities are at a high risk. In my opinion, the levy on this year’s ballot shouldn’t even be a question for voters. We need the extra money! High quality education is important because it affects everything and everyone, everywhere.

It’s not just the schools that are affected by a tight budget for schools. After this many failing levies, home values sag, and the whole city’s prestige plunges. I do not want to live in a city where we have beautiful parks, a great recreation center, and wonderful people that has everything but good schools. All of the other great things of Westerville could be changed if the conditions continue to get worse. Education will affect my whole entire life, and I can’t afford to have a bad start to what could be a great life. Indeed, the schools are one of the many, many things that will change if we continue to be oblivious to these conditions.

Now, it’s true that if this city doesn’t pass the next levy, the whole community will go down with the schools. But I think it’s extremely sad that our levy supporters have to submit to other reasons to vote “yes” other than us, the children. It seems like the community is ignoring us, and once they themselves might be affected, they say, “Oh no! Vote yes for the sake of our homes and money!” What they are missing is that this levy is about the students and teachers, and we should be voting yes because we are given horrible teaching and learning conditions.

I have lived in Westerville my whole life. I love this city, and I would hate to lose it or move away. However, if the voters can’t pull themselves together and see what’s happening, I will have no choice but to leave. It would break my heart unbelievably, but I don’t want to stay where I have one elective class to choose from in high school. Many of my fellow students are saying they don’t want to stay either. Can they move? No, because no one will move into this town and buy their house! You see, once you’re in, you can’t get out until this mess is cleaned up, and that is going to take a very, very long time.

Why is high quality education necessary for the public good? I can give you 14,142 great reasons, better reasons than you will find anywhere. Are there any children being left behind? Mr. President, I have 14,142 bright children being left in the dust. Deep down somewhere in every one of those 14,142 students, there is a bright, smart, and clever kid who is eager to learn. This community is giving us nothing to teach them with. I have 14,142 horribly unfortunate students, and not one of them should be left out, no matter what we need to do so. Why is this important? Look at the 28,284 shining eyes that need help! This is important because WE DESPERATELY NEED IT!!