Dear Editor:

The Brookhaven Tea Party held a public discussion event locally on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013. The planned topic of the event centered on concerns with the implementation of Common Core in Mississippi. This successful event drew over one hundred participants and included concerned citizens, parental groups from around the state, teachers, school administration and legislators.

Speakers included Rita Anderson, Sen. Angela Hill, Sen. Melanie Sojourner, and Rep. Becky Currie. Sen. Sally Doty was invited to the event, but declined due to a prior commitment to a Teen Pregnancy Prevention meeting with the governor in Tupelo.

Concerns discussed included the questionable history and development of Common Core, Common Core Standards, problems with implementation, and privacy issues. A question and answer time was provided, and administrators, teachers, and parents took the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

The record number of attendees was encouraging to those involved.

Discouragement came with the realization of who was missing from the event. In preparation for this meeting, press releases were given, and the local media was encouraged to attend and report on the event. Unfortunately, this meeting, which drew a record crowd of concerned parents and citizens, was not attended by the reporters form the local newspapers, as far as I know.

Maybe this event, which was planned in order to discuss the education and future of Mississippi children, was not exciting enough? There was a little excitement, though – law enforcement was called – someone locked his keys in his car.

Seriously, though – there are few readers here who will dispute the utmost importance of issues that affect our children’s education and future. I challenge representatives of the local media to take a closer look at what is important to them. Are our children valued enough to take pains to cover the issues that will actually affect their future, and, ultimately, the future of our great country?

Sincerely,

Kendall Boutwell

Brookhaven