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EDITORIAL: Compliance, not agreement

One week ago today, Butler County Schools’ Superintendent Robert Tuck went on WLBQ’s Out on a Limb to discuss all things school-related, especially as they pertain to the myriad of regulations (guidance, requirements, mandates, recommendations - who knows?!?) governing schools and athletics. To put it bluntly, schools across Kentucky have been saddled with unreasonable requirements simply because they want to resume in-person instruction to some degree and play a few ball games.  Let us say it another way...parents and kids are desperately seeking a return to normalcy and the “powers that be” seem intent complicating things even when they are in obvious conflict with common sense. Whether from the KDE, KHSAA or Governor Andy Beshear, numerous and changing “guidance” has been handed down over the past month or so, often in a heavy-handed  way with limited public input.  Are you looking for consistency in these requirements?  Good luck finding it.  


From our vantage point it appears that some governing bodies are upset that many school districts are ignoring Gov. Beshear’s recommendation to not return to in-person classes until September 28.  Thus, those “powers” are making them pay with oppressive requirements that seem to be more about punishment than safety.  From the sports perspective, the KHSAA, perhaps the most tone-deaf organization in the state, has taken up the mantle of safety that would make New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio proud.  Masks all around regardless of inside or outside, distant or not, ball wiping, temp taking, draconian capacity limits, public shaming (“It’s for the kids.”) and other foolish requirements for fans - you get the picture.  It’s a mess.

 

To their credit, most school districts are trying valiantly to comply with these bureaucratic shenanigans.  Butler County definitely is.  Superintendent Robert Tuck made that clear last week during the aforementioned radio show.  However, in what was a breath of fresh air for many folks, Supt. Tuck also made it clear that he believes many of these regulations are a bunch of bull - our words, not his.  While reinforcing the importance of compliance, the superintendent expressed his frustration with not only some of the regulations being imposed but also with some ways in which the process has been handled at the state level.  Good for him.  It is important that Butler County folks know that local leaders of all stripes will push back against some of the most egregious mandates handed down from Frankfort - whether Covid-related or just general overreach.  This is particularly important when some of those requirements clearly defy logic and common sense.  To the extent that he can, Mr. Tuck is speaking out publicly against some of these silly measures and we suspect he is doing even more through other channels.  We commend his efforts.  Compliance, yes.  Agreement, no way!   


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Agree or disagree? We'd love to hear from you.  Send comments to [email protected].  If you would like your comments posted on our site, please send as a Letter to the Editor and be sure to include your name and city.   

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Beech Tree News’ editorials are the official collective opinion of the news site and are typically representative of multiple individuals within the organization.

 

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