Hello Kadoka Area,
What a fantastic graduation ceremony this past week. Thank you to all in the community who came to attend and support our graduates. The seniors of ’22 celebrated the end of the time they had at Kadoka Area. We are so privileged to be able to take in the beautiful passage of these talented young people. In the words of Dayna Brave Eagle, director of education on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the only resource we have is the children we produce. Our investment in them will be what we have as a legacy, and I wholeheartedly agree with this.
The question that arises as we work through these times of year is, does everyone agree? Are we the only ones that believe that children are a good investment? Is public education worth it?
For the last four years I have been pursuing an answer to this question in my studies. Can the work we do in education be a good investment not just for the educators involved but is that view outside my sphere? My research as a student has led me to believe that, yes, others think this too.
The more states invest in their schools, the more evidence suggests that more private investment arrives in a state economy. Acting as a type of private match program that seems to raise personal investment the higher a student per-pupil payment enters our public school system. Growing up in a conservative state and residing in one match, the excellent use of tax money is often questioned. According to my research, successful private industry moguls tend to agree with state legislatures that use their tax money to invest in public education and protect it.
So, this week, we celebrated our district’s commitment to educating our young people. We reflect on Di- rector Brave Eagle’s words that our greatest resource is our children. I know that Indian country isn’t the only group to feel that way. The numbers show that it is something that unites us; our graduates are our future and our most incredible resource. We celebrate education and graduation this week because it is an exceptional commitment by the masses.
So, this graduation, we look back on the fantastic seniors and say in unison, “We believe in you.” Thank you, seniors, parents, and families, for an amazing school year. Our investment is well worth it.
Sincerely,
Robert Lukens