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This morning I witnessed a moving tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 at Lowell High School. The annual event includes the entire school via live broadcast on Lowell Educational Television. (You can watch the rebroadcast on cable station 22 during the following times: Tonight at 7:30 and 10 p.m., tomorrow at 8 and 11 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m., and Monday at 5 p.m. ) Most of us remember where we were when we first heard about the hijacked planes crashing into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and later a field in Pennsylvania. But there is something especially poignant about reliving those somber memories in the company of respectful young people. The Jr. ROTC honor guards, in particular, who surrounded us in the high school courtyard this morning, are always impressive. They stand straight and proud in smartly dressed uniforms, and are precise in their motions, whether it is marching in slow synchronization or unfolding and raising the flag at half mast. It is particularly poignant to consider the 9/11 tragedy in their presence, perhaps, because of their youth and diversity, and because they are a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. We remember the day, the tears, and the pain. We remember those who lost their lives trying to save others, those who continue today without their loved ones, and those who work each day for a better world for us all.

I recently got into a battle over semantics with a Republican friend who questioned my use of the word “right” to describe health care for all (which is also how I feel about public education by the way). Anyway, this friend corrected my word choice, preferring the words “moral imperative,” which I allowed. During President Obama’s speech on health care last night, he referenced this letter from Senator Ted Kennedy that he received after the senator’s death. You can follow the link to read Kennedy’s entire letter, but here’s one paragraph that resonates for me (my bold): “And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family’s health will never again depend on the amount of a family’s wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will – yes, we will – fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.”

Maybe it is a core philosophical difference–the notion that everyone is entitled to quality health care–or maybe it is more about the details of how to make it happen without crippling our economy. But as we go forward to solve this complex issue, the discussion must center around how to make it happen as a goal worthy of our nation rather than a debatable premise. Whether you call it a moral imperative or a right, quality health care must be available to all Americans or we are not fulfilling the dreams of our founders.

I was surprised by the ferocious controversy surrounding President Obama’s speech to students today. (Here’s the text and video of the address.) In my idealistic world, I actually thought a “work hard and do your best” message from the president was a good way to start the school year. I liked how President Obama could speak from his own experience and act as a role model, especially for many of our minority students who lag behind in test scores, graduation rates, and income levels. Regardless of the adult static around the issue, what did Lowell kids hear the president say? I happen to live with Lowell students, both of whom saw the address today in social studies and history classes respectively. My younger child, a 13-year-old who has always been a conscientious student, found Obama’s speech “interesting and inspiring.” The point that most stuck with her: “even if you come from a bad neighborhood, you should try your hardest and you can succeed.” My son, a junior at LHS who finished Obama’s Audacity of Hope for a summer reading assignment, had a more pragmatic reaction: “He must be a really strict parent, and I felt kind of sorry for his daughters,” he said, adding that it was “cool” how Obama challenged us to think what a president 50 years from now would say about our contribution.

Of course, the perspectives of my white, middle-class children do not represent the majority of Lowell’s students, many of whom are below the federal poverty level and learn English as their second language. That’s why Obama’s message on education is so important. Here’s one part, in particular, I hope resonates with our young people: “…But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying… Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.” Now that’s worth repeating; let’s hope they heard it.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, at noon, President Obama will address students across the country with a welcome-back-to-school message. Lowell Public Schools will broadcast the address live for all schools to access on Lowell Educational TV (L.E.T.) Channel 22. In addition, educators may access suggested classroom activities via Obama’s website for further opportunities to engage students in discussion about education. I’m not sure if past presidents have made such a concerted effort to connect with our youth, but I applaud Obama’s recognition of how important it is to make that effort and the significance of his leadership in this area. Any attempt to make young people aware of the relevancy of their education and its role in our collective success makes sense and is good for the entire nation.

I first met Senator Ted Kennedy at a National Schools Board Association (NSBA) meeting in Washington years ago where he was the featured speaker. Before the meeting, those of us from the Bay State got a private audience with the Senator. We numbered about 20 folks from the Commonwealth, and I’ll never forget the sheepish grin on his face when he walked into the room and softly asked, “Massachusetts?” We nodded enthusiastically and clustered around him to shake his hand, make eye contact, and share a few words. Later, we were escorted into a huge auditorium where the front rows had been reserved for us. We had the best seats in the house as Senator Edward M. Kennedy entered behind us to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. I was proud to be from Massachusetts, to sit at the front of that huge auditorium with my colleagues and know that our Senator was a national champion for public schoolchildren. The cheers and adoration from thousands of school committee members from across the country felt like a personal accomplishment: he’s our Senator, he belongs to us!

A few years later, I got it in my head that I wanted Senator Kennedy to visit Lowell and see firsthand the good work being done in our schools. Federal resources for education had steadily declined under the Bush administration, No Child Left Behind was under-funded and over-mandated, and we needed help. I was a Lowell delegate at the upcoming Massachusetts more »

Last night, the Lowell School Committee supported my motion requesting “the Superintendent prepare two budget proposals: one for a level-funded budget and one with a ten-percent reduction in state funding.” Although there was discussion regarding the timing and details of the proposals, especially since cuts this deep will require layoffs and there was concern regarding employee morale, the majority consensus was that we need a plan—the sooner the better—to deal with the current fiscal crisis. According to State Senator Steve Panagiotakos’ presentation, reported here last week, a level-funded budget is the best-case scenario—requiring $4 million less for Lowell schools with as much as $10 million in reductions a possibility. I’ve watched the district cut programs and staff since 2002, before I even got on the committee, and I don’t see how we’re going to make cuts this deep without seriously impacting the quality of education our children receive. It is going to require new approaches, thinking outside the box, and a reassessment of priorities, both in terms of the district and its funding sources. Each year, health insurance, utilities and compensation costs have risen—outpacing revenues—but the challenges we face and the children’s need for a high-quality education have not diminished. As the state faces its own fiscal crisis, there is some hope that Lowell will top the list for additional funds through the governor’s Readiness Project. Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville visited Lowell schools on Monday, and told us he was impressed, particularly by the district’s partnerships with UML and MCC, and the investment of community stakeholders. Supt. Scott, Chancellor Meehan, and MCC President Cowan pitched their “Pre-K to 16 Pathways” plan to him as our version of the governor’s project, with hope that when funding is available, the state will look to Lowell as one of its first pilot sites.

There is also hope that the federal government will offer some relief. As the creators of No Child Left Behind, national legislation that left the funding behind, the federal government has a responsibility to fund its mandates, as well as a moral and practical imperative to ensure educational excellence nationally. It appears the new administration gets the intimate connection between an educated populace and economic stability. According to an article in yesterday’s New York Times, President-Elect Obama has pledged $10 billion for early-childhood education, representing ”the largest new federal initiative for young children since Head Start began in 1965.” His platform also supports “new federal financing for states.” Many of his supporters are expecting him to deliver on his campaign promise to make education a priority even after federal bailouts for Wall Street bonuses and automakers’ incompetency: After all, economic revival is not possible without skilled employees.

I took Microeconomics in college and found it pretty dismal, so I never made it on to Macro or any other economics classes. Lately, however, I find myself becoming something of an economist groupie, reading articles and blogs by experts in the field who might be able to shed some light on the financial crisis, sub-prime meltdown, rising unemployment, falling dollar, falling oil prices, deflation, stagflation, and so on. I like James Surowiecki’s concise, clear-headed columns in the New Yorker, and I check out his blog, The Balance Sheet whenever I think of it. Closer to home, I always like to hear UML Professor Bob Forrant’s opinion on things. His refreshing, contratian ideas will keep you on your toes, and I will miss hearing him on the late, lamented morning radio show, Sunrise. An example of his style is agreeing with conservative columnist William Kristol’s statement in the New York Times that economists should come out and admit that they don’t know what they’re doing, that they don’t have a clue how to fix a crisis of this magnitude. He is also critical of Obama’s newly-formed economic team. The good news is that the Sunrise website archives are still accessible and you can hear Bob’s latest podcast along with those of other local financial pundits.

I am also exploring a list of economics and finance blogs that I found in last week’s Boston Globe. So far, I like the macro approach taken by Barry Ritholz in The Big Picture. Maybe I should have given Macroeconomics a chance after all!