The Lt. Governor of Tennessee, Ron Ramsey, made the evening news recently when he interrupted a news conference being held by advocates of Pre-K. Here is the story from WSMV Channel 4. During the budget finalization this week Senate Republicans, including Mr. Ramsey, tried to change the funding for Pre-K in our state. Their idea would have made it very easy to cut funding for Pre-K outright in future years. Department of Education Commissioner Tim Webb, alarmed at the budget amendments, sent an email out to other Pre-K advocates, and called a press conference to raise awareness. Mr. Ramsey and his cohorts, offended by the negative publicity, crashed the news conference in order to “set the record straight”. Naturally, I am pissed at this obvious attempt to bully people with a different view point. So, I wrote him an email, and told him so.

Dear Mr. Ramsey,

I was very troubled to see you on Channel 4 news interrupt a news conference involving Pre-K. I found it very unprofessional. My wife, a Pre-K teacher, was at the news conference, and she was extremely offended by many of your comments. As a lawmaker, you have a responsibility to lead this state and set an example for personal conduct. It doesn’t concern me that you were offended. You hold public office. Being criticized is part of the job. In fact, it’s one of the true joys of our nation. We get to speak our mind when we’re unhappy with the way we’re being governed. Disrupting a news conference held by people with differing viewpoints is childish and wrong.

I would like to explain why I think it is short sighted to change the funding for Pre-K. Your proposal would make it extremely easy for the program to be cut in the future. Our state seems to be in a perpetual budget crisis, and making a program susceptible to the chopping block is tantamount to actually cutting it. Do you not understand the value of education, even at the early childhood level? I have seen what it does for children with my own eyes. It is NOT “subsidized daycare”. These children are leaving their classrooms with knowledge and self-confidence.

It troubles me that our state ranks in the 40′s for education. We should aspire to be a leader in education. That absolutely starts in Pre-K. You should be crafting a budget that safeguards Pre-K from any future cuts. There are few things more important to the development of a human being, and by extension, the population of a state, than education.

While I understand that the budget has already been sent to the governor, the citizenry of this state will be watching our elected officials closely. If we find you are making decisions that aren’t in the best interest of the people, we will make our own decision at the ballot box.

Respectfully,

–
Jonathan Sanders

a very concerned Tennessean

To his credit he actually responded.

Dear Jonathan,

I am all for ensuring pre-k education is available to all at-risk students. Beyond that, it comes down to how to best use our money. Every dollar spent on pre-k takes a dollar away from the rest of our educational system such as our K-12 program and Higher Education. I just want to get the best possible return on investment toward the education of our children. In addition, since Pre-K has been established it has always been funded by “non-reoccurring” lottery and general fund dollars. Thanks for your input! 

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

 

Sincerely,

Ron Ramsey

Certainly, he seems to not comprehend some of the issues. So, I told him so.

While I appreciate your response, you seem to think that the two are separate entities. As if giving to Pre-K necessarily takes away from K-12 and higher education. My position is Pre-K should be linked with the rest of the education department. It is an invaluable precursor to kindergarten that will aid these children for their entire academic careers.

Too many people view Pre-K as a daycare like experience. This is evidenced by the wide range in the education levels of Pre-K teachers. My wife has a Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee. Trust me, she does not do it for the money. She’s basically a paid volunteer. However, she does it because she truly believes in the value of Pre-K, and the potential of the children in her class. I believe in it too, and support her 100%. I truly wish lawmakers could see its value as well.

Pre-K should not be thought of as a luxury. It is an investment that will repay itself tenfold. If we in Tennessee truly value education, then we must champion all levels of education.

–
Jonathan Sanders