Kinsley High School
Kinsley, Kansas
Teacher: Dr. Galen Boehme
Bringing Back Safety in Schools
By Nelda E. Flores
Grade 12
School districts must employ staff members who understand the discipline needed in practicing freedom, who openly cherish private property, and who treat students with respect. It is their personal responsibility as members of the board of education to students first.
Key terms are these: “Discipline” is to bring under control. “Freedom” is the condition of being free of restraints. “Private property” is a possession designed for one’s exclusive use. Respect is the state of being regarded with honor or esteem.
Today in public and private schools, fear is a subconscious feeling for many students. Fear exists of violence among students in several forms, especially from staff members who can abuse students physically, emotionally and mentally. Unfortunately few students report the incidents but the repercussions can be negative. A school is supposed to be a safe sanctuary where students can learn and grow socially, free from any form of violence. Fear can come from untrustworthy staff members. If an employed individual abuses or harasses a student in any way, this student may become emotionally unstable. He may develop a low self-esteem. A student’s confidence may also be altered due to repeated abuse or harassment. A problem that mainly hurts the community rather than the student would be a decrease in census in a particular school in which this type of problem exists. With decreased census in schools, a decrease in funds follows.
An unsafe environment in schools can be avoided. If the board of education in schools would double check backgrounds, experience, and personal qualities of staff members, the environment for students would be much better than if these were not double-checked. It is vitally important to check for a criminal record. If an individual has a history of criminal activity, then it is an obvious reason to do a more thorough check. Something to really watch for would be harassment charges or if the individual has ever been listed as a sexual predator. BOE members should always put students and their safety first. Asking for and contacting references are smart steps. By checking references, the BOE will learn more on the individual, why he or she has opted for a new employment. Even though a strict rule with confidentiality exists, former employers may be of some help.
First, BOE members must decide if an individual has enough experience for the desired position. Has the individual worked in this position before? If so, for how many years was the individual employed? Although professionals must always start somewhere, it is important to check their experience. If the individual has no experience but seems to have the necessary qualifications for the position, the individual should be considered for employment. However, the position will not be a guaranteed one. The individual may have to pass mentoring that lasts perhaps a year. Good experience is necessary. A final step would perhaps be during the interview. Is the individual excited or happy to be interviewed? The personality of the individual remains important. A sour, grumpy person who does not seem to have ever been happy is obviously not a good candidate. An individual that knows how to have fun but also is strict and follows rules is a worthy candidate. The personality of the individual reveals a lot about how this individual may work on a daily basis. Carefully analyzing an individual’s personality can give the interviewer a pretty good idea on whether the interviewee will fit in.
Good ideas for a safer environment are just ideas unless carried out. If a problem occurs with either a present or future staff member, proper action must be taken. If the individual has a criminal record that has been brought to the attention of the BOE members and is in fact a danger to students and other staff members, the individual must be suspended or terminated. If any type of harassment occurs and continues after a warning, a suspension or termination must be issued immediately. This is for the safety of the student involved in the first incident and for all other students. Many situations such as these exist in our society today. For example, a student has sued the school for a large sum of money because of ignoring her sexual harassment complaint. In this situation, the student made a complaint that because she had rejected the professor’s sexual advances, her grade suffered considerably. However, the school did not take her complaint seriously and therefore nothing was done. It is very important for school officials to act promptly and accordingly when a situation such as these arises. Not only is the student not receiving justice, but the school involved may also suffer greatly.
Once schools have changed the way they handle these issues, it is a good idea to check and see if the results are favorable. A good way to check is if the students and staff are happy. If they seem to be enjoying the school environment and do in fact feel safe, the plan has worked. The community is also a good resource. Especially with small towns, communities will voice their opinions. If they are voicing favorable comments, the plan has worked. Unfortunately, like everything, a drawback exists. Changing the way administration handles different situations, is bound to upset some people. However, if the changes are for the common good, they must be accepted.
Our society today is filled with violence, poverty, and hate. However, schools need to be made into the sanctuary that they are pictured as. They need to be a place where students feel safe and free from harm. By working together, for the common good, schools will once again be what they are supposed to be, sanctuaries.
Answers To Questions Triggered by the Required Reading
Welfare State on the Street Where You Live (Tibor Machan)
Q1- Why does Machan use “steal” in his statement: “Private property solves this problem, but was abandoned a long time ago when taxes reached the point where we can steal our way to being provided with all sorts of things we desire, never mind thinking about paying for them or long-ranged budgeting.”?
Machan deliberately uses the word “steal” to stress the way in which America looks upon services that in actuality are not mandatory or necessary. Most of America takes for granted the many services that are offered. Some services are beginning to be demanded; but are they necessary? Machan illustrates the idea that most people do not, or have not, differentiated need from desire. The word “steal” means to take without right or permission. This term takes a big effect when used in this manner. When people read the statement that includes the word “steal”, it churns new thoughts and a new look upon many issues. The word makes people think; “Is this something I desire or something I want?”
Q2- Machan said: “For that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.” Give two examples of this from your personal experience.
The selected passage pertains to everyone and everything in our daily lives. Presently, it pertains to me by way of school. Each senior belongs to a committee to make planning smooth and easier. However, the majority of each committee does not attend. Most meeting see the same handful of students each time. Another example would be volunteer working in the community. Volunteers are always much needed in different events and activities. Unfortunately, most people demand volunteers but do not volunteer themselves. Therefore, more often than not, a shortage of volunteers results.
Q3- Do you agree with Machan that “…everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill; as in families many attendants are often less useful than a few.”? Give an objective example of this.
I strongly agree with Machan on this matter. People as a whole tend to rely on others for something that they personally want done. If everyone is doing this, how is anything getting done at all? For example, each year important decisions must be made in our country. The government lets the citizens partake in the decision-making process by allowing them to vote. However, a great problem exists with voting. Sadly, not everyone that is eligible to vote actually votes! How are we as citizens fulfilling the duties of our country if not everyone votes? By voting, we are giving our opinion. By not voting, we are more or less stating that we do not care. However, everyone cares and after an election or decision is made, those who did not vote always seem to complain. This is a great example of how people are inclined to push responsibilities and duties upon others.
Are We Going the Way of Rome?
Q4- State Kershner’s First Law. Do you agree or disagree and why?
“When a self-governing people confer on their government the power to take from some and give to others, the process will not stop until the last bone of the last taxpayer is bare.” I agree with this statement. When one considers the numerous services and “gifts” our government grants, do we not all take advantage of it? I also agree because as long as the government gives and gives to the people and if the people do not ever pay it back, what becomes of the whole process? The money is paid back at taxpayers’ expense. It is a never-ending cycle. Money is borrowed to pay another; in order to pay him money is borrowed again. Eventually the money cannot be paid back. This is when the taxpayer pays and he pays nothing as nothing is left for borrowing.
Q5- What industry was the first to be taken over by government in both ancient Rome and the USA?
The first industry to be taken over in Rome and the United States was transportation. In the United States it was the railroad and in Rome it was the shipping industry. After this took place in the USA, regulations were set for transportation. However, in my opinion welfare was the first industry government took over. In Rome, the people began to become dependent of the government for “hand-outs.” The government was giving “government bread,” only to those whose parents had received aid. Few people were still independent. In the USA, the government offers aid as well. Food stamps and medical insurance are both examples of aid. Today, it is very easy to secure government aid for a variety of reasons. At time, people may become as dependent on the government as the people in Rome did. Unfortunately, for those who “play” the system and are dependent on the government, taxpayers pay for their expenses.
Q6- Is cheapened money the cause or the outcome of inflation? Explain.
Cheapened money is the outcome of inflation. When the government in Rome was losing money, Roman government began to make money with less silver. This helped the government economy to pay for all the services and programs that the government was offering. This also occurred in the USA. Coins no longer have very much silver in them as they did in the past. Pennies also are not made up of pure copper either. When money is made cheaper, inflation occurs. Once inflation occurs, money is cheapened. It is a cycle. In an effort to save money, when money is made cheaper, inflation could actually be brought on by the government.
Q7- How did the Edict of 301 affect Rome’s economy?
The Edict of 301 made a system of price and wage controls. This system caused uproar in Rome because if the system was not followed, the price was death. When first established, the law seemed to work well. However, people became afraid to both buy and sell items if the penalty was death. The law was finally later revoked because the economy in Rome was falling.
Q8- Lee claims that individuals could be “entirely independent of others” except for what? Explain.
The only situation in which individuals are not independent is when it comes to scarcity. If one person controls all of one resource, it is not available for anyone else. For example, a sufficient number of teachers, nurses, and doctors are lacking. If one person were to control all of the water in the world, there would be a scarcity because there would not be the water needed to survive. When one person of a government controls something, there is not any available for other people. In this society scarcity exists in everything. Try as the government might, it still has a control on everything, therefore resulting in scarcity.
Q9- Describe the dilemma concerning rules as discussed by Lee.
When it comes to rules, Lee shows what a great problem there is and could be. If a society were to have numerous rules and regulations set, those who did not agree would oppose. When individuals oppose, the situation becomes that of chaos. A society could easily be destroyed. However if a sufficient number of rules and regulations did not exist, people would oppose them as well. People would demand more rules. If not rules are set, a situation of chaos could easily result as well. This situation is like a saying, “You can’t please everyone.”
Private property is very crucial to freedom. If people cannot own their own property, what freedom is there? Taking away the right to own property is taking away great freedom. Owning property is a way to gain independence from others. It is like a security for families and individuals. Freedom involves rights, rights that are stated in the Constitution and the law. Freedom is a right. By taking this away, freedom is taken.
Lawrence Reed’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.
Q11- Argue both pro and con that in his testimony Lawrence Reed was advocating compassion and aid for the poor.
The pro of compassion to the poor involves seeing people as people and not as numbers, handling ethical matters, and caring for others. For principle #1, economical matters surpass ethical matters. However, he states political freedom should promote political equality but financial equality does not produce financial freedom. In principle #2, compassion involves showing tough or limited compassion. However, some poor may never learn to do skills on their own, therefore deserving limited compassion. In principle #3, compassion involves all people and is more long-term than short-term. Unfortunately the focus is on the objective and not on the emotion itself. According to Lee, the pro to compassion is involving other people and encouraging political equality. However, how can compassion go very far if people do not focus on helping?
Q12- “If people are free, they will not earn equal incomes; conversely, show me a people who have equal incomes and I will show you a people who are not free.” Explain in your own words Mr. Reed’s meaning.
Reed is saying that no matter how equal people are economically, we are never really equal. No matter what, people will still look down upon others. Discrimination against lower classes, or in this case, lower standing economically, has always and will always exist. If all people were to become economically equal, society would be worse off therefore defeating the purpose of equality. For example, if the poor were to become rich, they would not be looked upon equally as those who have always been rich. The fact is that at one point these people were poor. This stigma will always stand out and be used against them. The rich would question how the poor became rich and then criticize the newly rich. It would not only be who is rich like before; rather it would then be how the poor became rich. Equality will never exist in this matter.