An Open Letter to the Board of Education {Encourage Civil Disobedience}

civil disobedience

noun

1.

the refusal to obey certain laws or governmental demands for the purpose of influencing 

legislation or government policy, characterized by the employment of such nonviolent 

techniques as boycotting,picketing, and nonpayment of taxes. 

Last night, the largest school system in North Carolina (Wake County) passed a legal resolution refusing to implement the 25% Law.  They joined other large school systems, including Guilford County and Durham.  It is an act of passive resistance that is to be applauded, because the law is unjust.  I certainly hope that my home county will follow the lead of these other school systems, and I am imploring our school board to make this decision.  Below is the letter that I wrote this week to the school board.

Buncombe County Board of Education,

As a veteran teacher in Buncombe County Schools, I thank you for your willingness to devote your time and energy in an attempt to guide us through the 25% legislation.  Most every BCS teacher that I know is conflicted about the repercussions of this law, and this uncertainty has created an environment of distrust in our schools.  As many of you are aware, morale among teachers is quite low, while anxiety is high.

I truly hope that you will move to join with Guilford County, Durham County, and  Wake County Public Schools (three of the largest school districts in NC) in refusing to participate in this flawed process, and directly ask for its repeal.

Making this bold move will be accepted as a sign of solidarity with BCS teachers, and will help to end the divisive culture that this law has created within our schools.  I hope that you will strongly consider this act, and that you will continue to do what you think is best for Buncombe County Schools.

Thank you for your continued service - 

Ben Graham, NBCT