GUEST EDITORIAL – I have lived in Dearborn for the majority of my life. As a fourth generation Dearborn resident, my family has seen the highs and lows in Dearborn’s history. Unfortunately, we as residents are experiencing a low not felt since the Great Depression. Dearborn is a shadow of it’s former self. We must look back to see it’s greatness. Until recently, Dearborn has been a Model of Innovation.
We are the birthplace of innovation for the auto industry and pioneered the way municipalities operate. If you fail to adapt, you will fail; but, Dearborn’s very own Ford Motor Company conquered this challenge. In the spirit of Henry Ford himself, we must embrace our past to lead us into the future.
One might ask, “Why Run as a Candidate for the Local School Board if you wish to make such great change?”
The answer is simple, our educational system is the foundation of society as a whole and creating a prosperous society starts with that very foundation. If the foundation is weak, so will be societies chance for success. I know this to be true, because a failure at this level is a failure at all levels. While working in the Criminal Justice System, I have seen this failure first hand.
We must concentrate on our students as a whole. We must recognize that the only education some of our students will receive is at school. We must adapt to the fact we no longer live in a single income society, and our children are suffering because of this. Ours schools need to work harder to address all issues both in the classroom and at home. We can correct these issues using various old, new, and adapted techniques.
The most important thing needed for success is a orderly, familiar atmosphere. Chaos in an educational setting will destine students for failure, fear in a educational setting will destine students for failure, and the force of constant change will destine students for failure.
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Authority is key, and a presence of such must always be maintained. Minimum Wage Contract Security Guards are not the solution. I recall one incident shortly after graduating from Edsel Ford when one of these Contract Security Guards was caught selling drugs to students. I propose contracting a Local Law Enforcement Agency to assign specially trained officers to all Dearborn Schools.
The recent acts of violence in Canada, New York, and Washington State are a reminder of the risks we face as a society. We must not be blind to these risks and we need address them before it is to late.
Our children are our most valued possession, and they must be protected as such. An excellent education is useless if you can not live long enough to use it.
About the author
Christopher Paulsen is a local law enforcement officer; a candidate for the Dearborn School Board.