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Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A perspective from Cynthia Shriner
“Actions speak louder than words and are more to be regarded” is a familiar phrase that was first printed in 1736 in “The Melancholy State of Province”, penned by an unknown author. This statement could be no more true and applicable than to the current runoff race for the Orange County School Board. When I recently ran for the School Board, my eyes were opened to the incredible commitment of time, energy, passion and action that it requires to be an effective school board member. My thanks go to all who so serve.
Engaging in the campaign gave me a chance to see Bonnie Hauser in action. Bonnie is physically present and engaged at every school board meeting. You’ll also find her at community gatherings, serving, talking, and listening to people; and you see her teaching students about history, including her own mother’s story of surviving Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp. It’s no surprise that she has such heartfelt passion for our students and teachers. After decades of experience with our schools, I don’t know a board member who is more invested in serving our students, teachers and families. Bonnie has a deep understanding of the issues facing our schools and the role of the board in addressing them. As a school board member, she has served on every board committee and chaired several. She gives countless hours volunteering in the community and the schools where she actually gets to know the students, teachers and staff, and listens to their ideas and concerns. It is obvious that for Bonnie it is all about doing what’s best for the students and teachers.
I witnessed her commitment firsthand as I supported several teachers who came before the Board to address the inadequacy and inequity of the coaches’ pay cap that had been in place for over 15 years and that led to teachers who gave countless hours to our kids for many years being paid less in coaching supplements than new coaches for intramural type programs. In the heat of the campaign, Bonnie was the board member who took action, making sure that this situation was addressed and that increases in supplements for coaches were included in the budget. These are the types of actions that make teachers feel heard and appreciated, and will go a long way in helping to retain them.
Our schools have struggled greatly over the past several years with low proficiency, decreasing student enrollment, low teacher morale and retention, increased safety concerns and over spending. We are at a crucial time that requires the best possible leadership. Mere words and disconnected ideological rhetoric will not help our students. What we need is someone who understands the issues and takes action, and Bonnie has clearly shown that she is that type leader.
Please join me and take action. Vote to re-elect Bonnie Hauser on May 14th or during early voting from April 25 – May 11th.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
