Todd Svehla for Talbot County School Board District 4
This Dad wants to give back to Parents their Rightful Voice and Control
The 3 C's to Success
Parents CHOOSE the Objectives
Teachers COMPLETE the Mission
Our Kids become CHAMPIONS of the future
Major concerns facing our Children
The Following Topics
The topics listed below are a few of the major areas that the residents of this county are facing in relation to our county schools. As a police officer of 16 years I look at things from a logical perspective of right and wrong. I apply that point of view to many areas of my life. I have strong Jedeo- Christian values and conservative views. I try my best to live a life as my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12
Even if I may disagree with someone on any number of social or political issues I treat them with the respect they deserve. I believe that even in the most extreme cases of disagreement there is always a place of common ground to start a discussion from. I am firm in my convictions and beliefs, but that does mean I'm not willing to listen to someone else's point of view. We may never agree but I will always support your right to voice your opinion even if it is in direction opposition to mine. The only voice I can not support or endorse is a voice that incites violence or it's intent is to call physical harm onto others.
I use the term "parents" throughout the areas below. I use this term in a general fashion. I quite understand that in this day in age many families have a variety of involved members. So when I say parents I am also acknowledging that there are also in no particular order, grandparents, aunts, uncles, legal guardians / caregivers, adoptive and foster family members.
Government Over Reach
It's no secret on the extreme government over reach facing our nation today. Federal, State and Local Governments have been stripping away our God given rights for years. As a result our children are in the cross hairs of the Progressive Left and their Tyrannical Agenda. This is especially evident at the local level as it pertains to Talbot County Board of Education. Each of the following topics address this over reach.
Politics in the Curriculum
There is a commom term in the media known as CRT Critical Race Theory. This is basically a politically driven ideology that is being injected in to every subject our children are taught in schools. CRT is not in and of itself a subject per se, but its is woven into and throughout the curriculum. If your unfamiliar with this politcal ideology I can explain it quite simply. It is Progressive propaganda that that is racist to it's vile core. The theory vilifies the White Race (predominantly white heterosexual Christian men) as a result of slavery during the formation of our country. The Curriculum teaches that all Non-white races or more commonly "People of Color" are past present and future victims of oppression by the White race. CRT is poisonous indoctrination that pits people against one another based of of the color of their skin.
It is the polar opposite view of what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character".
This hate filled social doctrine IS currently being taught within the many subjects in Talbot County Schools. Teachers have been sent to seminars and training classes and taught how to apply and attach this material into the subject they are teaching. The recently retired Superintendent Kelly L. Griffith, (who stated " Today's educational system is a system created by White Men for White Men".) use camouflaged language to hide the fact that this horrible decisive poison is being taught to our children. CRT is now being called "Social and Emotional Learning" Mental Health in Talbot County Schools. Do not be fooled by the deception of using, soft friendly wording no matter what soft fluffy title they provide IT IS a political marixist ideology.
Our children are being taught not to look at people by their personal character but what they look like on the outside.
Student Safety, Security and Health Mandates
Talbot Board of Education has one major role in the safety and security of it's students and faculty. The BOE is to have security measures in place to keep all people in each school building safe from threat of physical harm. That includes threats externally and internally. The most sever being attacks from those who wish to do serious bodily injury with any type of weapon. As a parent and a police officer I would hope that all parents agree with this.
Unfortunately our State and Local Board of Education has lost complete sight of this objective. Assaults in school have increased over the past years. During this school year in a Talbot County School student was assaulted by another student with a weapon of opportunity in a horrific and life threatening manner. The student thankfully survived but the mental and emotional trauma will last for years to come. And this is one of MANY incidents within our county schools.
Worse yet the BOE feels that it has authority over parents on what medicine our children should receive. It is STRICTLY the decision of the parent and the child's doctor on what medical treatment is appropriate for them. The fact that schools are bribing, yes bribing our children with $50.00 gift cards in exchange for getting the Covid vaccine is disgusting and vile! These board member and school staff are not medical professionals and they have NO RIGHT to supersede parental rights in this manner!
Teachers Promoting Personal & Political Beliefs
Outside of a class specifically dedicated to discussing U.S History and/or the design and function of our Federal Government there should be no discussion of personal politics or political opinions in the class room setting. The only flag in a class room is to be the United States flag. Under no circumstances should there be any flag or material displayed to promote an alternative life style (LGBT Flag). Additionally there should be no flag displayed that openly supports the dismantling of the nuclear family or assault or death of Law Enforcement (BLM / ANTIFA flag). These types of items do nothing but create a distraction to the learning environment. Teachers are employed to teach a specific topic or subject matter. At no point should a teacher promote their personal political leanings or lifestyle choice. These personal matters have no place in the classroom. Additionally any type of material whether a reading or writing assignment that promotes any type of racial division, sexual lifestyle or negative stereotypes should be strictly prohibited.
LGBT & Sexual Material
As parents we all have an expectation as to what our children are taught in school. I believe our children are to go to school to learn the fundamentals of basic subjects and topics that will lead them to be successful, productive and well rounded members of society. They should learn the basic to advanced methods of all primary and secondary subjects. Yes and that includes the sciences such as biology and the functioning structure of the human body and it's anatomy.
What this does NOT include is the promotion of personnel life style choices and private activities. The LGBT Agenda has NO place in any grade K-12. Once a child reaches the age of 18 years old and is an adult by law and have graduated high school then they have the freedom to follow whatever path they choose. At no point should the school be providing students with material that is sexual in nature regardless of what lifestyle it promotes. Sexual material is not to be allowed to be in schools for any reason other than the means to educate students of the biological\ differences between male and female. Boys are Boys and Girls are Girls.
Parents Rights to be Heard
Nationwide parents are becoming more vocal in how their local schools are being managed. The pandemic did have one positive aspect as it pertained to the horrible virtual learning program instituted by schools country wide. Parents acquired the opportunity to see inside the classroom and hear the material being taught by teachers. Parents began to learn of the horrible political ideology in the curriculum being taught. As well as assignments containing, politically charged language, support of BLM and democratic policies while demonizing conservative policies and President Trump supporters. This enraged parents rightfully so and they began attending Board of Ed meetings. And because the boards are loaded with cowards they began to make ridiculous rules to keep parents out of meetings. Parents have a right to question how their tax money is being spent. Not to mention how their children are being taught and kept safe.
Collage or Vocational School
For years now, even as far back when I was in school in the early 1990's there has always been a strong push for all students to go to collage after high school. As a student who attended vocation classes in high school for Automotive Technology I am a huge supporter of vocation training in High School to allow students who wish to enter the work force directly after high school or move on to more advance vocational training after school. I support collage for several professions, I also feel vocational skill based training holds a great value for students looking to get into a well paying and honorable trade based profession. I strongly believe by giving young men and women training in skill based careers they are more likely to stay within the local community and reinvest their skills and talent back into the local economy.