The Naked Truth:
By
Hilliard Lackey
Columnist
The Jackson Public School Bond issue is really a no-brainer. JPS needs $150 million to upgrade facilities and enhance the likelihood that our students will (1) go to school and (2) learn to be productive citizens. We either pay now or pay later. We either pay up to another $70 per year in taxes on our homes and autos or just purchase more burglar bars, alarm systems and dog food for home protection.
We hear it all the time but few people are apparently listening with understanding. It goes like this: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
The higher the educational attainment of people, the lower the rate of violent crime. Education does not alleviate crime altogether but it takes it from the category of blue collar violence (burglary, robbery, purse snatching, stabbing, shooting, etc.) to the white collar arena of embezzlement, conspiracy, failure to pay income taxes, etc.
We hear it over and over that private prison entrepreneurs analyze the reading levels of third grade students and project how many prison cells will be needed eight to ten years later. To get to prison, these low-achieving third grade students either work their way up through juvenile detention, dropout before the 12th grade or otherwise find themselves awash in a sea of hopelessness as young adults.
Amidst the frustration of hopelessness, a criminal lifestyle is hatched. Human nature gives each of us hopes and dreams. When the means to reasonably approximate making dreams come true or making ends meet are seemingly non-existent, criminal activity appears to be the answer.
Educators promote education as the means to realizing dreams, aspirations and ambitions. At Green Elementary School “The students are challenged to develop essential skills to acquire a knowledge base on which to become a lifelong learner and a responsible citizen.”
Brinkley Middle School makes the promise that We will work with each student to prepare for high school while setting high standards for moral character in a safe and orderly environment.
The mission of Jim Hill High School is to provide a comprehensive program that promotes the development of the "whole student" by helping each student BELIEVE in himself, ACHIEVE his goals, and SUCCEED in life.
JPS wants to build three entirely new schools, replace two existing schools and build additions at five other schools. The bond issue must have a 60 percent voter approval for passage. Published reports record there are 92,000 to 95,000 registered voters in Jackson. In the last mayoral election, 27,732 people voted, less than a third of those eligible. Balloting is set for Tuesday, November 7.
The Naked Truth: We can pay now or pay later with respect to the bond issue. In the end, we pay more taxes for more police, pay more for security systems, pay more for care of our guard dogs and live like prisoners in our own homes. Or we can breathe a lot easier and say we are the village that helps raise our children. That’s a no-brainer.
Dr. Hilliard Lackey is a history/geography professor/college administrator/columnist. He can be contacted at hlackey@bellsouth.net.
