OPINION: A missed opportunity for Anchorage schools

Dr. Ben Carson, a groundbreaking pediatric neurosurgeon, came to Alaska this week. His personal story of how he became such a successful physician after early struggles as a student from an impoverished and underprivileged background is remarkable, uplifting and inspiring.

Not only would all children benefit from learning about overcoming adversity, but there are students in every elementary school who grapple with real challenges of all kinds. Hearing from a prominent doctor who also had to confront personal difficulties in order to succeed as an educated professional, husband and father, would be invaluable to their young lives. Unfortunately, the Anchorage School District superintendent vetoed the invitation from education commissioner Deena Bishop to Carson to speak to Mountain View Elementary School’s students.

The superintendent stated that the reason was “protocols” and focus on the beginning of a new school year. The ASD School Board president stated words to the effect that Carson’s address to pupils would have been a distraction from attention to a new program being rolled out the same day Carson was invited to speak. Frankly, nothing Carson would say to inspire students to focus on their education and strive to be the best educated and successful scholars that they can be, would violate any important protocols or distract from a new school year. On the contrary, his message would have been given at the best time for youngsters who are starting school fresh after a summer vacation.

Of course, there could be an unspoken subtext to denying Carson’s participation in the first week of school activities. Carson was a Republican candidate for president of the U.S. He also served in President Donald Trump’s cabinet as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Carson is also the author of a new book entitled “Crisis in the Classroom.” Perhaps the ASD superintendent and School Board president were squeamish about Carson delivering what they believe is a political message to students or a message critical of them as public school administrators.

His published books are mostly about patriotism, faith and overcoming adversity. If the superintendent and school board president wanted to limit his message to one of the importance of scholarship and motivation of children to work hard in school and succeed to the best of their abilities, they should have communicated that to Carson. I am willing to bet that is the talk he had in mind to give Anchorage kids in the first place. As such, an accommodation could have been reached.

The ASD superintendent’s withdrawal of Carson’s invitation to speak was an unfortunate mistake.

Ann Brown serves as the chairwoman of the Alaska Republican Party.

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