Parent Jessica Mulvey Defends Teachers In Letter To Editor

Candidates’ claims of broken school system are inaccurate

My kids are thriving in Mesa County Valley School District 51. I am a mother of four boys, three attending schools in District 51.  My kids have been consistently exposed to many incredible teachers and staff and wonderful extracurricular programs.

I am disheartened by the message put forth by some of the candidates running for school board and some of the current members on our school board. Their message of a school system that is completely broken and failing our students is inaccurate and superficial.

Does our school district have areas that need improvement? Absolutely. As a parent, am I settling for a school district that is inadequate, broken or failing? Absolutely not.

It is my responsibility, as a parent, to support my children’s education in every way I can; this is why I feel compelled to share my perspective of the upcoming school board election.

I believe we need thoughtful and rational school board members. We need board members who support a quality,
well-rounded education for ALL kids and accountability of all District 51 staff students, and parents. We need board members who will put students first, have a healthy respect for the working professionals in our schools and come with balanced and feasible ideas.

I have taken the time to listen to the ideas of all six of the candidates concerning our school system. I will vote for John Williams, Tom Parrish and Greg Mikolai because, in addition to all of the qualities above, I believe these three candidates have the most thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of our school district and are the most prepared to sit on our school board.

JESSICA MULVEY
Grand Junction