LETTER: Problems in our schools mirror those in society

The election is over but the work is not done. The team I supported for election for the Perkiomen Valley School Board (PVSD) lost and we lost by a lot — that is democracy in action. Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn, but the fight is not over.

Last week, a student at our high school was viciously attacked. The attack was almost broadcast live on TikTok and Snapchat — and made local news. The students and parents attended the school board meeting to tell their stories — it was emotional to hear and to see.

Some question what is happening with our society and what is happening inside our school buildings.

During my tenure in leadership of the school board, I advocated for what I thought would be real change to protect students inside our buildings.

First, School Police Officers (SPOs) — we were finally successful in getting the votes needed for SPOs but only because of a refusal to allow the “process” to be muddled in the defamation of the character of what SPOs can successfully do for a school district.

Second, a real change to student consequences. This sadly, was lost. A strong continued push for SEL in K-8 and a lack of actual student discipline and consequence is shocking. Some don’t believe that a student should have their recess time taken away or have a detention or suspension but I do! I believe actions equate to consequences — good consequences or bad consequences.

Third, the removal of cell phones in buildings. This, sadly, also did not happen. Why is this important? Students attend school to be … say it … to be educated! Students attend school to learn the Pythagorean theorem not to record their friends in the bathroom or record a school fight. Some will say the phone allows parents access inside the building — to “see” what is happening. Allowance of phones in the building has more cons than pros and leads to learning loss and immature behavior in the student body.

The emotional outburst we are seeing from students not just in Perk Valley but all over the country comes from a sheer lack of respect and discipline inside our school buildings. Some believe that public schools should change the thought process of a family and a student for the benefit of society. They believe public schools should “push” an “agenda” that they believe is “righteous.”

Maybe, just maybe — we should remember that the adults in the room should be respected and listened to. Our teachers are there to teach- they are not there to babysit and handhold.

It is time we take our school back and enforce the policies and procedures that create good future leaders.

Jason Eric Saylor is a member of the Perkiomen Valley School Board.