Reader: Study before electing school board



On May 6, 2008, once again, we get to elect four members to our school board. I would like to challenge you to go back to “school.” Get out your thinking caps and try to remember on how many issues our present board has voted as a “bloc.”

Some of the members, who are there to represent us, seem to have very little voice in matters. We have seen some questionable hires in cases where connections meant more than the ability to do the job.

Look at the backgrounds of candidates for relection and decide whether past history or behavior warrant your vote. I would also ask you to look at family ties and historical alliances.

We do not need members with “axes” to grind on our board. Do not be deceived by slogans or lip service. We all know our community and our students need the best we can offer.

By all means, remember to vote on May 6, 2008. Sometimes the school board races are hard to find on the ballot.

— Lee Stewart, Jeffersonville



Floyd health officer recommends vaccines



Immunizations have been described as, “one of public health’s greatest triumphs.” Vaccines not only protect the persons who receive them, but also protect the community in general by denying the disease a reservoir or carrier in individuals.

For example, over 500,000 deaths due to measles alone were reported worldwide in 2002. In the same year, Indiana had two cases, neither of which was fatal.

Our goal is that every child is considered up-to-date by age two, so they cannot catch or transmit diphtheria, measles, pertussis, polio or other harmful diseases when they start school or daycare.

Sixteen large studies, both in the U.S. and overseas have failed to establish a link between immunizations and autism, a severe neurology disorder. Some individuals have worried that thimerosal, a preservative chemical previously used in vaccines, was to blame for the problem. However, a study published in January of this year showed “an increase in autism (cases) in California, despite the removal of thimerosal from vaccines.” A previous Institute of Medical Study, in 2004, had similar results.

Confirmed severe reactions to immunizations are very rare. The most common adverse effect is fever, easily treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

We recommend having your child vaccinated according to the Center on Disease Control schedule, and ask for it to be recorded in Indiana’s immunization registry. The Floyd County Health Department offers vaccinations at our clinic every Tuesday, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., and Wednesdays, from 1 to 3 p.m. A $5 administrative fee is charged, however, no one is denied care due to inability to pay. Your healthcare provider can also help answer your questions and concerns about your child’s vaccines.

— T.M. Harris, M.D., FACEP, FAAEM, Floyd County Health Officer



Reader: classrooms are overcrowded



I recently read the article in the paper regarding the Adequate Yearly Progress scores for New Albany-Floyd County School Corp.

I believe our teachers are doing their very best to help our children improve on ISTEP scores. I think that all-day kindergarten will help the children initially; however, to me it makes absolutely no sense to spend all this money on all-day kindergarten and then have overcrowded classrooms after first grade.

My children have attended Galena, Highland Hills and now Floyd Central. I still have a child at Galena and in the years that he has been there Galena has lost teachers, a reading resource teacher and classroom aides. There are two split classes with the 4/5 split at 26 students. Our fourth-grade classes have 30 students each.

The fact that Galena did achieve AYP is a testament to the hard work of our teachers. I am a substitute teacher and I think it is a miracle our teachers can teach anything with all the students in the class.

Until the federal government, state government or NA-FC administrators can come up with a solution to the overcrowded classrooms and we, as parents, start teaching our children to respect teachers and pay attention in class I'm afraid meeting AYP will be more and more difficult.

We all need to work together to better this situation. Parents, start getting more involved in your school. Our teachers need to be shown more respect by parents, students, and the administration. A fair contract would be a step in the right direction.

— Diane Moss, Greenville



Reader fed up with Dems



These choices are brought to you by the Democrats. They claim to be the “pro choice” party. They are actually the ones trying to make the choices for us.

The Democratic-led Congress has chosen what light bulbs we use and buy by their new “environmentally friendly” legislation. Now the Democrats want to raise our gas prices to “reduce consumption,” so they say. Rep. John Dingel, Democrat from Michigan, has introduced a bill that would put a 50 cent tax on every gallon of gas sold.

Is Congressman Baron Hill going to buy gas for us again as he did in 2006? Hmmm, Maybe I should choose a different party this November election.

— Allen Smith, New Albany