In an increasingly polarizing U.S. political scene, school board elections have become the new battleground in American politics. According to a report by PBS, these once non-partisan races have turned into centers of partisan debate.
In states such as Virginia, political parties and affiliated groups have become involved in such elections, backing their favored candidates. This shift has led to a growing number of career politicians without any background in education running for school boards. Such a trend could pose potential risks to the quality of education that American students receive, where political agendas trump educational needs.
In recent years, many politicians and advocacy organizations have pushed to govern how public schools address controversial issues relating to race, gender, and sexuality. Florida, a political and cultural battleground state, plans to allow voters in November to decide whether to amend the state constitutions to allow school board elections to be partisan, as reported by The Journalist Resource.
In order for school boards to refocus their efforts on education, experienced and qualified educators will need to fill the role. Dr. Martin Karp, a public servant with an extensive background in education is the only candidate with a proven track record working with Miami-Dade schools.
Dr. Martin Karp is currently running for the Miami-Dade School Board in Florida. He has served as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Community Engagement for the Talmudic University consortium of schools and has taken various leadership roles, including Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing and Circulation Director for Miami Beach Magazine. Facing a race against a career politician, Dr. Karp’s 30+ year experience as an educator in the Miami-Dade public schools makes him the only qualified candidate with a proven track record.
During his 16-year tenure as an elected official on the Miami-Dade County School Board, Dr. Martin Karp has demonstrated his belief that students should come before politics. Out of his numerous programs and initiatives, Dr. Karp has formed pilot programs for later start times in schools, created the STEAM Scholarship Awards Banquet, and introduced stand-up desks in classrooms. His student-focus approach has led him to expand and improve services for students with ADHD and develop the REGAL Plan, which increases gifted-certified teachers and expands the curriculum for more gifted programs in schools.
If voters want school board members to prioritize education over politics, educational experience should be considered as a paramount qualification. Even as more of the U.S.’s political debates become polarized, children’s education should not be used as ideological ammunition. Dr. Martin Karp’s campaign represents a call to restore educational integrity amidst the chaos. It is time to put the focus back on students – not politics – and get politics out of the classroom.
Written in partnership with Tom White.
