Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Our citizens do have an important stake since we provide major funding, but more than that, the success of our school system is the future of our county.

This does not mean dumbing down educational standards, but having stretch expectations like our students will expect in real life.

The better our schools perform, the higher priority and support will follow with the attendant enthusiasm. Throwing money at education has not made a difference in all too many localities, including our nation’s capital with the resignation of Chancellor and reformer Michelle Rhee.

Schools have never successfully become surrogate parents, nurses, coaches, at the expense of strong standard of high academic expectations. Having been involved in public education for many years at the secondary school and college level, I realize there must be a passion for teaching absent the bureaucracy of costly mandates at the state and federal levels.

The Gloucester County school...