When I saw that my friend Ray Pearson had written a column for the Trib weighing in on Charter Schools I was a little concerned. I helped bring the Edison Charter Schools to life; have been a big supporter; have a daughter who works there and am nervous as heck about how its success is affecting the continued floundering of the Duluth Schools. We all should be because Duluth will continue to depend on ISD 709 to educate the majority of our children.
Ray superintended Hermantown’s schools for many years. He’s a strong proponent of public education. For many years he and Duluth’s long time Superintendent, another Pearson but no relation, Richard Pearson attended my Church’s Men’s Group on Wednesdays.
Although long retired he recently helped finance an exhibit about American History in the Hermantown Schools that was delightfully Lincoln-centric. When Ray “retired” from education he took over the Hermantown Star and every month at our meetings he continues his journalistic bent by handing out a couple pages of thought provoking scribbles.
Ray has seen some history. He helped liberate a concentration camp as a soldier at the end of World War II. That’s an experience that made Ray a very thoughtful gentleman. I was not surprised and greatly relieved to read his column’s conclusion:
In short, charter schools have created an open, moral, inviting culture, one that is small-school driven, where everybody knows your name.
In parents’ eyes, this mix has the best chance of helping them raise educated, well-mannered children.
Meanwhile, let’s go back to the needed and satisfying task of tweaking the public school culture, as Simonson urged. We have the advantage of starting his quest with fine staff, fine facilities and optimistic students anxious to find their way.Will this work? I take it so. We need only tap the creative minds of parents, staff and students.
Like his hero Lincoln Ray’s humor and humility shines through every page his shares with the Glen Avon’s Men’s club. Last week he offered up this tidbit:
A school superintendent recovering from surgery at the hospital received this message from the Chair of the School Board.
“The School Board extends its good wishes to you and its desire for your speedy recovery. The vote was 4 to 3.”
