Narrowing curriculum, not expanding young minds, at DeSantis' New College

No doubt, New College narrowing curriculum

There is officially nothing new about New College of Florida. Richard Corcoran, interim president, made that clear with his announcement that all students will be required to take a course centered around one work: "The Odyssey."

The school is now openly committed to the classical education model of a private religious school, Hillsdale College, and will “require” all students to adhere to that curriculum.

The purpose, in spite of Corcoran’s high-sounding rhetoric, is to narrow the curriculum, not expand young minds.

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And let’s be clear, the classical curriculum is just sophisticated rebranding to cover the fact that it is a curriculum centered around the superiority of Western thought, religion, philosophy, art and literature.

The curriculum stretches from Greece, runs though Western Europe and lands in the U.S. It seeks a return to a simplistic Eurocentric approach to our complex, multicultural world.

That’s an odyssey destined to fail.

Randall Pfeiffer, retired educator, Sarasota

Rose’s proposals waste taxpayers’ money

In its latest burst of flagrant and blatant fiscal irresponsibility, the Sarasota County School Board voted to waste $39,000 of the taxpayers’ money to redistrict the county.

This marginally legal, possibly illegal, gerrymandering could preclude Liz Barker from running for a School Board seat in opposition to incumbent Karen Rose.

Guess who proposed this waste? Ms. Rose, of course, who could offer no plausible reason for the proposal.

This expense will bring the amount wasted by Rose’s proposals to $281,000, including $172,000 in severance payments and $70,000 in search fees to replace the previous superintendent.

Ms. Rose is running for reelection. The best result for the county’s students, parents and taxpayers would be for her to lose.

Norman Wirtz, Nokomis

Rep. Buchanan supports corrupt Trump

I would like to thank U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan for his email to constituents (dated Sept. 26, 2023) about supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act.

However, I am far more concerned with Buchanan’s support of a corrupt politician who attempted a seditious insurrection against our government and country.

Please remember the words of conservative former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney during a House Jan. 6 committee hearing: “Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.”

Buchanan voted against impeaching former President Trump. He also voted to remove Cheney from her leadership role in the House.

John Yeager, Parrish

To reduce gas prices, boost production

With growing concerns over gasoline prices across the country, many are wondering what can be done to reduce energy costs.

While there are many global factors that impact consumers, as discussed in “Floridians should expect to pay more for gas this week” (Sept. 18), a key way to help ensure Americans have affordable, reliable energy is by producing more of it here at home.

Policymakers can help increase American oil and natural gas production in several ways.

First, the Biden administration could stop sending mixed messages about energy production. One day the president is asking U.S. companies for more supply. The next, his Cabinet raises fees to produce oil and natural gas.

Second, Congress could pass comprehensive permitting reform that modernizes the process for all kinds of energy infrastructure development.

Finally, the Interior Department could belatedly release a congressionally mandated five-year offshore leasing program that supports new development.

Taking these steps and more, leaders in Tallahassee and Washington can support new oil and natural gas development to secure our energy future.

Gifford Briggs, Gulf Coast Region Director at the American Petroleum Institute, Tallahassee

One less gold tree in spring spectacle

Every spring I look forward to driving around Sarasota to see the trees in bloom. Sarasota’s gold tree (Tabebuia) is especially pleasing to the eye.

It doesn’t look all that outstanding most of the year. It’s kind of ugly, with scraggly limbs, a poorly formed trunk and lackluster leaves, and doesn’t provide much shade.

Frankly, it looks like it’s barely hanging on most of the year. But just wait, come spring this ugly duckling transforms into a golden spectacle!

One of the gold trees that I’m always eager to check out is in front of the old Burger King on 41 near Waldemere Street. I look over at it every single time I drive past.

Last week, to my utter disbelief, the tree was not there. It’s gone! This one gold tree that actually stood upright, that grew to enormous proportions and once a year bloomed its heart out is no longer standing.

I came home and cried. My tree. Gone. 

I know, progress. But, geez, couldn’t you have built around the tree? My tree. Sarasota’s tree.

Trish Carlson, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Curriculum narrows, takeover of New College is complete