As a parent of a Cascade High School junior, I am more than a little floored at the Everett School District’s draconian handling of student publications. Taxpayers and parents alike should be asking, “What are they so afraid of?” It’s not as if these kids ever did anything to warrant the prior review rule.
Apparently the district does not trust these students, or their advisers, to use their heads and hearts when making editorial decisions. These are young people on the cusp of adulthood who deserve the opportunity to handle the responsibility of publishing their own newspapers and literary magazines. It’s our job as caring adults to ready them for life after high school, for a world that says 18-year-olds have the right to vote, should pay taxes, and can choose to join the military. (Where we will accept their lives in exchange for our freedoms – including the right to free speech.)
Trusting them to put out a student publication that reflects their world and views is one way to begin handing the reins of adulthood to them. As a dedicated, caring teacher this is something Kay Powers obviously understands. And something all the journalism students, editors and contributors to The Free Stehekin and Tyro Libre have demonstrated they’re more than ready to tackle.
The Everett School District needs to pay attention and stop wasting resources on this issue. Take on real education problems; let the writers, editors, artists, photographers, poets, graphic artists and business managers in our high schools continue pursuing their passions without the interfering heavy hand of the Everett School District.
Connie Eden
Everett
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