Fighting for better schools in our community isn’t just something we must do for our kids; it’s something we must do for all of us to help keep our communities and economy vibrant. A recent article in the Watertown Daily Times reported that the military is increasingly looking at the quality of education surrounding bases as part of the determination as to whether they will close a base. The Army’s reasoning, according to the article, is that quality public education around these bases helps ensure their personnel will pursue a long-term career in the military. Military families want great schools for their children, just like civilian families do. As so many of us work hard together to keep Ft. Drum, which has a $1.3 billion direct impact on our economy – an impact felt across much of upstate New York – open, we have yet another reason to push Albany to better support our upstate rural schools.

Quality public education is important; military and civilian families alike know this. An excellent public education not only helps attract and keep talented workers, it produces the incoming skilled workforce businesses, manufacturers, and agri-businesses need to grow and thrive.

There are three main things that must be addressed to ensure our local schools, whether they are in the North Country or the Mohawk Valley, are able to best prepare our children to enter into the workforce or pursue higher education. First, I believe we need to reject the current school aid formula, which, in my opinion, is unfair toward rural upstate schools that need the financial support the most. I commend our local schools for doing what they can with the meager school aid support they get from the state, but it’s time for the state to step up and address our needs to ensure our students are getting the best educational opportunities possible.

Something I’ve also discussed many times with constituents, and through these columns, is that our children should be taught curriculum that is developed by the people who understand them the most: trained teachers and passionate school administrators. When we empower those who are closely engaged with our children, rather than the faceless bureaucrats from the State Education Department in Albany, we will have stronger and better curricula that prepare students to be thriving adults.

Finally, I always have been a strong proponent of better tailoring a student’s education to be responsive to their individual talents and to the needs of the job creators in emerging industries. No child is the same, and no one educational plan is going to work for every child. I have continually supported our BOCES and vocational programs to prepare students who wish to pursue skilled careers. This is especially important as the need for welders, machinists, electricians and other skilled workers increases in our economy. I have pushed for better funding and support for these programs and the creation of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Diploma through the passage of my bill the “21st Century Initiative.”

Working for a better public education system is first and foremost about the futures of our children; but, as you can see, it is also about so much more. It’s about attracting jobs, creating opportunities and supporting the communities we love. I welcome your input; please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling my office at 493-3909.