A remarkable thing is happening in a school district in New Hampshire.

http://namebrandketchup.com/2014/04/04/a-remarkable-thing-is-happening-in-new-hampshire/

Community members, students, and supporters from all over are challenging a decision by a local school board to keep the high school drama department from presenting the play “Sweeney Todd.”

There’s much more to this discussion than simply the selection of a school play. We tell kids that reasoned debate and discussion is a valuable trait, but then we show them by our actions that it’s actually discouraged. If you believe as I do that students should be encouraged to take risks, and rewarded for taking risks, in one of the few times in their lives that they have the freedom to do so, take a look at this link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/745718382116165/

What’s remarkable is the great outpouring of support from all over for the students and concerned parents. Knowledgeable people, people of some accomplishment, have weighed in. As one of the school board members said, you want something hard enough and you work pretty hard, perhaps you’ll earn it. There’s a life lesson that’s not on the official curriculum.

In high school, a classmate got into considerable hot water for starting an “underground” newsletter that was critical of the school board. You would think we’ve come a ways in forty-two years, but it seems like the previous wars need to be fought over and over. Seems a shame.