Uphold education ideal

Education is one of the most basic of rights provided for in our Idaho Constitution, where it states that “the stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

Most of us know that the Legislature has long failed in this duty, denying funding to even basic educational offerings, and instead putting the burden of maintaining strong schools on the backs of local school district patrons.

On Aug. 28, we get to rededicate ourselves to the ideal of a fair and thorough education for all of our kids, and show that we will lead even when our leaders fail to do so. We all benefit from an educated populace. This is our duty in our homes, places of worship, and in the wider community, and our duty at the polls.

Please join me in voting “yes” for kids on Aug. 28.

For examples of positive work in Potlatch Schools, visit the Potlatch Education Association’s Facebook page or the Web-based blog at potlatcheducationfoundation. blogspot.com.

Michael R. Riley

Potlatch, Idaho