Students recognize school board vision of present bears fruit for destinies of the future

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Board of Education (BOE) deals with issues ranging from administrative policies and employment, to federal funds, to the naming of district buildings. While this may seem like a faraway land of politics that don’t affect the student body, the school board tackles much larger issues than just appointing the superintendent; issues that affect students directly.

Literacy rates among elementary schoolers have especially been a top concern for students as they watch younger siblings or other family members struggle with basic educational skills. Since 2019, literacy rates in elementary schools have been on the decline. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 34% of fourth graders are below a basic reading level and another 31% are below a proficient reading level. While this is a national statistic, the same issues have arisen in the OASD.

Junior Kate Ruby worries about the decrease in literacy rates in primary education and the implications it may hold for the future of the nation.

“This is concerning to me because these kids are our future,” they said. “Which is why the school board should take more of a focus on early and entry level learning with reading and writing so they don’t have a harder time when they do get to higher levels of education.”

Generally, the school board has been more open, Ruby feels, to community opinions that come from both parents and students. Some board members may not have children currently going through the education system and don’t understand specific issues that students may be facing. So, according to Ruby, it is important that board members listen and understand the suggestions of those who do.

“They’ve made more of an effort to listen to outside opinions and not just do what they think is best because they are not experiencing the education system first-hand,” they said.

Beyond college entrance level exams, issues of race and how the school handles certain minority groups persist as West remains predominantly white. Among the teacher population, there are few people of color and 0 African Americans. And among the student population, according to US News, 80.1% of students are white, 6.1% are Hispanic, 5.4% are Asian, and 3.3% are black. Additionally, all current members of the school board are white.

With this sharp contrast of white to minority, it is sometimes difficult for the school to understand conflicts and respectful and acceptable ways to provide different opportunities. Bringing awareness to these issues can be difficult when there are not any people in power or that are creating these policies who experience these issues themselves.

Although, throughout her high school career, opportunities for minorities have become increasingly better, junior Kamaira Chapin still sees areas where work can be done.

“Since my freshman year the school has done more with minority groups and allowed them to have more of a voice, but they haven’t done much to introduce racial topics and spread awareness about things that don’t pertain to the predominantly white population at West,” she said.

Recently, the African Heritage field took place. According to junior Nava Lomena, the reason that this field trip happened was understandable and appreciated, but the way it was executed made her feel singled out. She feels selection for such trips is something that the school board could help to amend in order to create a safer community and environment for minority students.

“An issue the board should address is how teachers nominate students for African Heritage field trips," she said. "It’s awesome that teachers are able to nominate students that are best fits to going on these field trips, but I’ve noticed that what ends up happening is that students were racially profiled."

Lomena doesn’t believe teachers are at fault for potentially discriminatory behavior, but believes that a better option may be on the horizon if brought up to the BOE.

“It’s not the teacher’s fault at all, but I think bringing this up to the school board to find a different solution in nominating students for these specific field trips would be beneficial and create less issues for minority students in the future,” she said.

The upcoming school board elections, although seemingly insignificant, are very important for the community, West, and also the district as a whole as their decisions will reflect community values and priorities.

Ruby recognizes the striking importance in voting for the school board elections, as adults sort out the problems of the present for solutions in the future.

“It is important that parents vote for this especially because it is their children’s education that is at stake,” they said. “Their education matters and these kids are gonna be the future someday.”

High school students are soon to be the future of the U.S, and although most cannot vote in the upcoming election, being educated on these issues and caring about problems that can be solved within the community can make a difference nonetheless, according to Ruby.

“Although most students are not able to vote in the elections for the school board, by spreading awareness and educating yourself for people that can vote you can make a difference in your community and schools.”

by Anika Flores

Published April 1st 2024

Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue VI