Open Letter to Concerned Citizens for Education
As the Baldwin County School
Board Representative for this area, I think it is an important time to address
some of the issues facing our Schools and our Coast. As a parent of three children who are
currently students in our system, I understand your concerns, your needs, and
your fears.
Our county, our coast, and our schools find ourselves in a precarious position
due to the Gulf Oil Spill. The Board and Staff continue
to explore additional cost saving methods, and have joined forces with County
Commissioners
and State Legislators in an effort to "make us whole". The system IS taking
steps to file ongoing claims with BP so that our system does not experience
revenue losses.
All this being said, I’d like
to focus on the good news. The good news is that in the midst of these
challenges, we have fantastic, capable teachers who have dipped into their
own pockets and have taken time from their families to educate your children.
The people of Baldwin County are our greatest asset. You have come together in a
tremendous effort to show the State of Alabama that Education is a priority in
Baldwin County! Your board will not let your efforts be for naught.
I want the readers to know that your school board, while making some very
difficult decisions, always has our children’s’ best interest at heart. It is
often difficult to work within the
confines of the laws and the financial complexities, and sometimes the
restraints we are under seem to make little sense to the practical mind, but we
do see the faces and hear the voices.
While we continue to deal with
our challenges, it is important to know that our incredible teaching
staff and School Administrators have worked tirelessly to provide a quality
education to our children. They continue to work harder and longer because they have a genuine love for our children. Simply, they care and will do
whatever is necessary to insure their success.
Many of our government officials will be up for election and
re-election this year. From Governor to representatives, city
councils, and mayors, VOTE PRO-EDUCATION!
Take the time to know where your candidates stand on
educational issues. Elect people into office who care about our children and who
are NOT OK with being at the bottom of the country any more!!
Although times may be
difficult, I have Faith that once again, we will survive it. I have Faith in our leaders and
most importantly, I have Faith in our local communities. I believe our
communities, particularly our Gulf
Coast
communities have a unique resilience. We’ve weathered storms. We know what
it’s like to lose more than jobs. We’ve pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps
and have worked together as a community to make ourselves whole. We know how to
be thankful for what we have and to help others in need.
We know that to overcome…we
must unify…and work together.
We can celebrate what we have and work towards what we need.
Where we lack in cash, we
will have community.
Where we lack in resources, we will have resilience.
When we experience
shortfalls, we will have Faith.
Where others might fail, we
will overcome.
Questions, concerns, and
suggestions can be sent to me personally at
SwigerRep@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Angie Swiger,
TEAMWORK is
our goal!
