MAKE EDUCATION THE "PRIORITY" IN 2006

It's time once again to decide how to spend our money in Enfield. The Town Council, along with the Board of Education, have just couple of months to evaluate where taxpayers investment is best spent. This is a tough job and, as we all know, will create a great amount of debate in our community.

Let's face facts. You put ten people in a room and ask them what is the best way to spend money and you will have ten different view points, and all can be valid. So what is the key to setting our budget in town? Where are our resources best invested?

It comes down to one word and that word is "Priority".

Now every person reading my column will have a different outlook on priorities, based mainly on what effects you personally. But, when setting a budget that is to benefit a large segment of society we must be willing to submit our individual wants for the purpose of making a better life for the greater number.

One such area that I personally believe should take priority is the Education of our children. It is strengthening education that will eventually have a greater impact on the long term success of our community. Everyone who is successful as an adult, can trace their "success DNA" back to a school, a teacher, and an opportunity to excel in their abilities.

When we provide the best education possible to the younger generation, we guarantee society in the future will be strong. An educated child is the best defense against cultural problems. Children who are given the tools to learn, usually become better citizens in adulthood.

Now, there are people who will say that money does not make better schools or create a better educational environment. I can agree to a point that money alone is not the answer to better outcomes in test scores and graduation rates. But, it is the one thing that if lacking, will diminish the ability for educators to train our students. Let's be honest, it takes money to heat our buildings. It takes money for up to date text books. It takes money to transport children to and from school. It takes money to maintain facilities. Here's the big one, it takes money to put a teacher in a classroom.

Now, I am not advocating putting aside fiscal responsibility and the taxpayers money must be spent wisely. But I am promoting investing in what is sure to bring the greatest return on that investment, our kids.

Let me share with you a quote I have used in building my philosophy while I served on School Board. It has always guided me and my thinking about educational funding. It goes like this: "IT IS EASIER TO BUILD BOYS AND GIRLS, THEN TO REPAIR MEN AND WOMEN". It is the driving force in creating a successful Children and Teen Ministry at the Cornerstone Church, (www.cornerstonechurch-ct.org), where I serve as Senior Pastor.

Think of it this way. Prisons are full of people needing repair. Drug rehabilitation is in the repair business too. Support groups for all kinds of social ills are mainly repair environments. All of these are needed, vital, and can provide corrective measures to recreate people. But, Schools are the one place where "building people" is done. I would rather build something right the first time, then have to fix it later...Wow is that a simple, common sense approach to setting priorities.

Greg Stokes