Public schools enrich the community's wealth

I recently learned that there are no private schools in Finland. The rich and poor alike send their kids to the same public school, thus all are motivated to build, support, and provide the best possible school system in their neighborhood.

Many of you might already know that Finnish students consistently rank No. 1 in the world for reading, mathematics and science. In comparison, America ranks 21st out of 34 countries represented in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in those same academic areas.

Here in Cheney, we can do something about this. Our leaders, teachers and administrators have poured their hearts into research and ideas to make Cheney Public Schools even better. Let’s stand behind them for the Feb. 14 bond election.

Can you imagine what our country would look like if the focus changed from amassing greater personal wealth to enriching community wealth in any way possible? Public schools, arts, green-spaces, libraries, parks, cultural centers, recreation facilities, etc. What a wonderful competition that would be — with the greater good always in mind.  Yet, our self-serving interests would also be fulfilled, as the recipients would be our children, grand and great-grand children — who are our future leaders.

Barb Brock

Cheney