A commitment to accountability starts by saying no
“It’s time to hold MISD accountable.”
If you’ve seen this phrase on our MOVE Midland yard signs around town, you’ve noticed they don’t explicitly say “vote no.” This decision was very much intentional.
Our current focus may be on MISD’s proposed $1.4 billion bond, but it won’t be our last. Whether this bond passes or fails, MOVE Midland will continue to work to hold MISD accountable. We hope the community members who have put our signs in their yards will keep them up long after this election because this bond proposal isn’t the community’s only fight with MISD. Accountability is not something that changes overnight. MISD needs a constant reminder.
During the 2019 bond race and again this time, a recurring sentiment echoes throughout much of Midland: a deep-rooted distrust of MISD. I’m talking about parents of current MISD students who question whether to pull their children out, former MISD teachers who felt they had to leave their beloved career and new-to-Midland community members who say, “It wasn’t like this” in their previous school district.
The voices and opinions of these Midlanders matter. They all share a common desire to better MISD but often find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Remember, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Don’t let anyone pressure or shame you into voting for the bond if your convictions lead you in a different direction. Contrary to the virtue signaling of objectors, there’s no arbitrary checklist you must complete before you earn an opinion on MISD matters.
Accountability doesn’t have to be a negative concept. It is easy to turn a blind eye and hope for the best. However, it is far more difficult for a community to collectively say, “Enough is enough.” If we genuinely want the best for MISD and our children, then we must be willing to push MISD toward improvement. As Proverbs reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Should the bond fail, MOVE Midland has a plan for how we can immediately move forward. Our idea would require collaboration from MISD, but we firmly believe it’s possible to reinstate accountability and transparency while addressing facility concerns. If you’re interested in learning more about the specific immediate steps we can take, please visit movemidland.org.
If the bond passes, as I mentioned earlier, MOVE Midland will continue to be a steadfast advocate for accountability within MISD. (Among highlighting other various city and county issues.) Regardless of the community’s decision, I hope that those whose interest was piqued by the bond discussion will stay attentive to what is going on in our schools. The futures of our children are too important to simply hope for the best.