Letters: County deserves better representation, comments about high school diploma change

Monroe County deserves better representatives

The city council's resolution on "gender affirming healthcare" on June 12 was always predestined to pass unanimously. Person after person spoke in favor of the resolution, and both City Clerk Nicole Bolden and Monroe County Council member Jennifer Crossley spoke in public comment supporting the resolution. Exactly one person spoke against the resolution, out of love and concern for gender-confused people.

In response, both Bolden and Crossley turned their backs on her. Both of them have proven themselves unfit for office with this childish behavior. If you cannot even bear to respectfully listen to someone who has been a member of this community for decades respectfully state her opinion on matters before the city council, you are not qualified to serve the people of Bloomington and Monroe County.

Crossley, as a member of the county council, has an obligation to listen to all viewpoints. She abandoned that obligation. The people of Monroe County deserve better.

The people of Monroe County deserve representatives who will respectfully listen to their constituents when we exercise our First Amendment rights to address government for redress of grievances. This principle applies even when people say things in opposition to the policies of those elected officials. Voters should turn their backs on Jennifer Crossley in 2026, and put someone on the county council who respects the views of all constituents of Monroe County.

Scott Tibbs, Bloomington

Send in comments about changes to high school diplomas soon

As usual, all eyes should be on the state as more radical changes are being made in K-12 education. Indiana is reinventing the high school diploma even though it just re-did the diploma about six years ago. This new diploma applies to students eighth grade and younger.

As it stands the diploma requires a lot more work from parents and guidance counselors (there is a major shortage of counselors) to ensure students check a lot of boxes both in and out of school. And yet, even if the student checks all these new boxes, they may walk out with a diploma that won't get them into college here in Indiana or anywhere else.

While college may not be the path for all, it is a path that should not be dismissed. The same applies to a well-rounded education. This new diploma does not require foreign languages, more than one science, world history, or the arts. Instead, there is a heavy emphasis on workforce readiness and internships.

I'm unsure how many of you are ready to bring in a 15-year-old intern into your business, let alone pay for the insurance. There has to be a balance that allows all students access to a diploma. Comments must be made. The next hearing with the State Board of Education is July 17. Make comments online at https://form.jotform.com/240674433441049.

Keri Miksza, Bloomington