Greetings OPSAN Community!

As part of our commitment to carry on the conversation in support of public education, we will be hosting a lecture/conversation with legal scholar, professor of law, and author Derek Black. Our focus will be on his latest book, School House Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy. The Cleveland Heights – University Heights Coalition for Public Education recently held a book study and we wanted to expand the general conversation.

We have often discussed the vital relationship between our public education system and democracy, Professor Black’s research provides an excellent historical review of just how tightly woven the two are. You can learn a bit about the author and his recent book courtesy of a recent interview held on The Sound of Ideas (WCPN) with Rick Jackson: https://www.ideastream.org/programs/sound-of-ideas/schoolhouse-burning-book-author-says-threats-to-public-education-threaten-democracy.

You can learn more or find where to buy the book at Derek’s website: https://www.derekwblack.com/schoolhouse-burning-public-education-and-the-assault-on-american-democracy-copy.

You’ll quickly learn that the founding of our nation was deeply rooted in the belief that democracy could only truly survive with an educated citizenry. Great effort was put forth to establish that foundation. The work we are all doing continues in that spirit as we face continual threats against our educational system.

As promoted on our website, “The Public School is the Best Defense of a Democratic Nation” has never rang more true.

The virtual event will take place on Thursday, April 29th at 7pm via Zoom. You can contact us to receive a copy of the invite. Please feel free to share this event to your community groups, all are welcome.

We look forward to engaging with you!

Be well!
Scott