What I Learned Delivering "Vote for Public Education" Yard Signs

Photo taken by my kid. The kid caught the important part. Props to Apple for auto-straighten.

Back in September, I drove up and down the state delivering more than 100 yard signs to cities from Portage and Anderson to Charlestown and Newburgh. People (my husband) thought I was insane. I drove all by myself in peace and quiet (we have two young kids), away from the internet and in between projects for the two jobs I have (I’m living the American dream). I binged on podcasts and listened to stand-up comedy, uncensored, because I could. I stopped at local food joints as well—from Big Ben’s BBQ in Jeffersonville to Henze’s bakery in Valparaiso. I also sat at many railroad crossings. I think Griffith and Porter tie for two of the largest crossings I recall encountering in Indiana. All in all, this trip doesn’t sound too insane to a 40-something mom.
 
Some of you had amazing fall décor—big word planks (with messages like “Welcome Fall”), sitting next to your front doors, are popular all over Indiana. Others were still holding onto summer and had your green thumb on full display in your front yards and decks.
 
But, let me get to the point: what I learned from this road trip.

1. Those of you who already have a yard sign live in every style of home under the sun. I delivered to apartments, trailer communities, condos, townhouses, old homes, new homes, retirement communities. Ranches, center hall colonials, urban, rural, suburban. People from all walks of life believe in public schools.
2. I dropped off signs at homes across from public schools and religious schools, on major county roads, HOA neighborhoods, and the quintessential-American cul-de-sac. Some of you put your sign in the ground right away. For others, I put the sign in the ground because your driveway was incredibly long. And others already had ISTA "Support Public Education" signs in the yard. 
3. No matter the shape of the downtown, the public schools in every community I drove through were, for the most part, well-maintained. Grass was being mowed, curbs painted yellow, parking lots sealed. Construction was taking place at some, too.
4. Some schools had their own solar farms. That’s amazing forward thinking.
5. Some schools had football practice fields right in the front of the school. That’s great marketing.
6. Certain towns had signs celebrating the achievements of their schools when you entered the city. I love these signs. They show that a city values its school, even if it’s just celebrating sports. Tiny little Swayzee is home of nine basketball overtimes in a single game. And Chesterton is home of IHSAA swimming champs in 2008 and 2009.
7. I passed original one-room public school houses (some shuttered, others occupied by small businesses) only to drive by much larger, modern schools just a few miles away. Public school has been around for a long time in Indiana and has changed with the times, contrary to naysayers.

 
In the end, what I learned is simple, obvious, and contrary to the messages coming out of the statehouse: We who support public education come from all walks of life. Public education is the great equalizer. Public schools are the hearts of our communities and need qualified staff and teachers to ensure proper operation. Underfunding public education makes no sense. The current funding course the state is on for the sake of “choice” could more aptly be termed "austerity” and is not sustainable. If it were, we would not have referendums to help pay for teachers. It is imperative to pay attention. Let's focus on getting the right people into office to ensure that ALL Hoosier children will have access to an equitable education offered by accountable schools filled with well-trained, well-paid teachers and support staff.
 
Tomorrow and every election day, be sure to vote for public education.

—Keri Miksza, vice chair of Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County

P.S.

• Need a sign? 2020 is almost here. You can get one here. ICPE-Monroe County will mail one to you if you live outside Monroe County (my driving days are done for now). Want to just donate to the fund that will go to help support pro-public education 2020 candidates? Just make a donation and write a comment like "no sign for me, thanks." (Did I mention we are volunteer-driven?)
• Some have asked: “Do I need to put my sign out now? We’ve got nothing on the ballot about education.” This is up to you. Use your best judgment. I like to think the sign serves as a reminder to always vote for public education. ALWAYS.
• How do I vote for public education? Research your candidates. Subscribe to your local newspaper. Ask the candidate directly. Seriously. Ask to meet them for coffee. Express your concerns. We’re working on landing page on our site, keepeducationpublic.org, to offer more guidance.
• Join us! Without you we can't exist.