Chron: "Fair and equitable" -- FBISD officials and students differ in views

"Fair and equitable" -- FBISD officials and students differ in views

In a time of rapid shift in values and priorities of the younger generation, it tickles me each time to see boys and girls tell you how much they enjoy school, labs, athletic practices, band rehearsals and time with their teachers and coaches.

One of the things that has made my experience of covering the Fort Bend school district rewarding and exciting is my frequent encounters with such a collective desire in the students of the district - in addition to the intriguing politics in which the district's adults often get themselves entangled.

To say I was tickled is an understatement. I was actually moved and inspired.

I was moved and inspired to see so many ice-hockey playing kids showing up before the school board time and again for two years begging the trustees and the administration for a club status for their team.

I was moved and inspired to see Hightower kids repeatedly pleading with school officials for not doing away with their block schedule so they won't lose their treasured field learning opportunities at, say, the Texas Medical Center.

And Monday night, I was moved and inspired by youngsters who jam-packed the board room to urge the district not to phase out an electronic engineering academy at Marshall High and not to get rid of a coach's position for the marching band at Austin High. . . . (get the full piece at: http://blogs.chron.com/fortbend/archives/2008/04/post_8.html)