An unprecedented number of unusual factors came together to make this past weekend one to remember on the path around the Falls and all across Wisconsin.
To set the stage, there were no classes for students on Thursday and Friday. For many years these were known as “teacher convention days.” Once Wisconsin’s Act 10 legislation diminished public employee bargaining rights a few years ago, the teacher organization’s annual convention was canceled.
Back then, the two vacation days at the end of October were considered unpaid vacation days in most school districts. Educators had the option of attending but many did not.
The tradition of the vacation days continued in many districts even though there were no conventions. The time of year was good for end-of-the-season outdoor activities, families going shopping for clothes for the winter season and numerous other pursuits.
This year in the Oconto Falls School District, Thursday morning was scheduled as a parent-teacher conference day, with Friday being a full vacation day.
Friday was Oct. 31, which allowed for extended costume preparation time for youngsters heading out for Halloween trick-or-treating. The evening was fairly blustery, which might have challenged kids to keep those costumes together.
Halloween is not just for youngsters. Given the fact that the celebration came on a Friday night, there might have been more than usual adult participation in this celebration. Saturday may have been “sleep in” time for young and old party-goers.
Another factor adding to the strange weekend mix was that the nation reverted to standard time Saturday night, making it an even longer weekend. That time change was appreciated by early morning commuters on Monday. The same could not be said for those who appreciate outdoor activities at the end of the day.
One more item adding to the “this is strange” sensation was the fact that it was a bye week for the Packers, with no obligation to schedule around a green and gold gridiron contest.
A final ingredient in the recipe for a most uncommon weekend was that this was the last weekend before the November election. Television viewers were treated to a steady menu of candidate promotional spots. The level was at peak intensity with relief just two days away.
Without a distraction of a Packer game, political activity was ramped up on Sunday. A couple of different political rallies were held. A number of candidates and their supporters were making last-minute door-to-door contact with residents. At that stage of the game, it was not about convincing a voter to mark a box for one candidate or another, it was about reminding people to get out and vote.
Understanding the importance of Tuesday’s election, this observer found himself at one of those rallies Sunday and actually did a little “boots on the ground,” putting out election day reminders in a neighborhood later in the afternoon. A number of people commented that they did not need a reminder—they had already voted.
There was a time when educators felt they did not need to be active in the political and election process. There was confidence that elected officials would be out in front supporting positive things for the young people in our public schools. Some would contend that was a bygone era.
Like other states, Wisconsin loves standards. There are state standards for curriculum. There are state standards for teachers. There are state standards for administrators. One of these standards for superintendents is the expectation that the individual in that role will understand and advocate for public education through the political process to provide quality education for students. The recent election cycle offered many of those opportunities, and many were taken.
Winding back almost a quarter century, one local resident loved to climb on the soap box and pontificate about one issue after another. His quick wit struck many people the wrong way, depending on which side of the fence they found themselves on regarding a particular issue. One of his more biting references was to nickname the community “Apathy Falls.”
It has been a personal goal never to live up to that misrepresentation.
Unfortunately, even in these extreme times with challenges facing public education in Wisconsin, there are people who consider themselves to be good citizens yet never make the effort to mark their ballots. With each election cycle, we hope that is an ever smaller number. Let’s prove Gene wrong.
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