To the Editor:

“Head in the Sand” is not an effective policy for a school district.

Jim Simokaitis is wrong about too many things to be on the Mehlville school board. He is against technology in education, believing that it hinders students’ brains. The modern world has passed Mr. Simokaitis by. Like it or not, effective use of technology is a vital skill for tomorrow’s workforce. Students without it are left behind.

Mr. Simokaitis opposes social-emotional learning, a program that teaches necessary life skills like perseverance, emotional control, and interpersonal skills. A recent Missouri business poll identified these skills as lacking in today’s young workforce. He says our schools lack mental health support. He is uninformed and wrong. A recent report to the Board identified mental health as a top priority and outlined the existing supports across the district.

He blames diversity, equity, and inclusion for a decline in test scores since 2015. This is a simplistic view of a complex problem and disregards the importance of a diverse and inclusive learning environment. The ability to understand others and deal effectively with them is what employers are begging for. He also complains that academic excellence is declining due to “social engineering” and “extreme favoritism.” What does that even mean?

Our schools are critical for our children, communities, workforce, and property values. Every school board member matters, and voters must carefully evaluate each candidate. Mr. Simokaitis may mean well, but he is uninformed, his thinking is shallow, and his ideas are naive and counterproductive. We can’t hide from the future by wishing that everything returns to what it used to be.

James Waltschberg

Mehlville