Letter To The Editor: I wish to publicly show my support for Mrs. Lynette Stream

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

With the upcoming Oskaloosa School Board election fast approaching, I wish to publicly show my support for Mrs. Lynette Stream.

Lynette is a wife and mother who has been awakened to use her efforts to best support our schools. She is passionate and devoted to helping insure positive changes within our district that will allow better success for all students. She values our many talented teachers and understands that their ability to teach has been hampered by many of the issues that have remained unresolved in our district.

Lynette does not shy away from a problem just because she is unfamiliar with it–instead she spends the time to educate herself as much as she can to assist her understanding. Sometimes, it is easier to simply avoid a problem, or deny that it exists when we don’t know what the solution may be; but Lynette is committed to confronting even the most sensitive and difficult issues that plague our schools. She wants to insure that we are planning for a successful future for students, parents, teachers, and the administration as a whole.

Many families with children in Oskaloosa schools may be realizing, as I have, that the issues facing our schools in 2017 appear very different than they were 20 years ago. Our district is finding that some of these issues are now catching up in the form of behavior incidents within our classrooms and are negatively reflected in our test scores as well. Enrollments are moving to other districts, which is a loss of economic support for our schools. This community needs to support making some changes and trying some new approaches to allow our schools to prosper so that our kids to feel safe and encouraged to learn. I personally am hoping to see even more transformation, and definitely not more of the same from our public school board–which is why I support Mrs. Stream.

Lynette doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but she is prepared to do the work. I know that she will engage herself first in understanding the problem–and she won’t shy away from seeing things for herself if need be. She will form her own opinions, and support what she feels is best for all students without being swayed by what is popular or easiest to go along with. Her resolve to be a part of the solution and devote her time and efforts to assisting our public schools is something I greatly respect. She is open to listening to ideas and suggesting changes while understanding that sometimes we try and try again until we find the best solution. She believes in working together and keeping parents, teachers, and the administration motivated to communicate openly and honestly about needs within the district.

Parents, grandparents, neighbors…if you are wanting to find out more about the current situation for schools in our community I would ask you to jump on your computer and do some research. I have been comparing schools recently using websites that offer information, and one example is greatschools.org. Type in Oskaloosa Middle School and search, it will give you a rating–mind you these ratings rely on criteria form test scores to economic status…but nevertheless it’s a rating that you can compare to other similar districts like Knoxville, or even Pella.

Oskaloosa CAN improve, and to begin those improvements we all CAN vote for the candidates standing for change, like Lynette Stream, who are willing to face the issues.

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Thank You,

Magan Jansen