Broward County, Florida, requires high school seniors to complete 20 hours of community service, to graduate. On August 17, the County School Board amended the policy to include political campaigning as part of the definition of “community service.” County Board member Robert Parks opposed the change. He said, “This has all the features of controversy. It opens up a whole new bag of worms. There are approximately 24 political parties registered in Broward County. Some of the parties, such as the Socialist Workers Party, are inconsistent with the character values of this school district.” However, Parks was outvoted.
What are the “character values” of Broward County with which the Socialist Workers Party is inconsistent? How familiar is Mr. Parks with the SWP (I’ll go out on a limb and guess “not at all”)? What difference would it make to him or to anyone what party (in an alleged democracy) a high school senior chose to campaign for under this rule, assuming the parents/guardians involved don’t mind?
Also, don’t parties become certified/qualified/recognized (whatever the legally correct term is in Florida) at the state level, not the county level? What on earth are the 24 parties to which he’s referring?
P.S. – That should actually be Dr. Parks as I’ve discovered that he holds a Doctor of Education degree. He has also served three terms as Chairman of the Broward County School Board. I find it astounding that a person with such a distinguished background in the field of EDUCATION would make, on the record, such a boneheaded statement. I’m guessing that this new policy change doesn’t square with his personal political (or religious?) views.