Running out of time (part 2)

After my post last night, I received some emails asking me why I didn't think the CPT at SMS could be killed. Why I only gave the petition and protest 50% chance of killing AT&T's tower.

The main reason is that the Sunnyvale School District and the City Council want the money and have practically signed on the dots.

The only way to get to 100% chance of killing the AT&T tower is to get both the teachers and the students involved as well.

Without the teachers, the school comes to a halt. How many substitute teachers do you think the school keeps? Teachers have rights too. Just as International Association of Fire Fighters which opposes the use of fire stations as base stations, teachers and their association (California Teachers Association) can choose to oppose CPTs being built too close to school. After all, teachers spend more time at school than the students.

Teachers in SMS need to sign the petition to oppose the CPT. But teachers also have to be careful that the school and school district don't discriminate them for having voiced their opposition. Teachers need to keep a record of their performance evaluations and their students' appreciation of their work just in case the bureaucrats decide to cause trouble. Teachers who are not afraid to speak their opinions and to speak up for themselves are good examples to the students.

Students in SMS need to create and sign their own petition to oppose the CPT.

In the extreme case, for example, if the tower is approved but the students want to reverse the city's decision, as a last resort, students can choose to not attend school for a day or two. School districts get majority of the funding per student based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). This funding roughly comes up to between $35-$45 per student per day (depending on the district). It will be also interesting to see how the school district explain the mass absence to the California Department of Education.

Those in power run their operations using fear tactics. Teachers who speak up might lose their jobs or affect their reviews. When teachers are forced to suppress their opinions and forbidden to discuss sensitive issues, students learn to be followers instead of people who dare to have a voice and question the stupidity of certain authorities.

How is America going to progress without people who are willing to challenge the status quo?