President Barack Obama is set to address the nation’s youth Tuesday during a live telecast from Virginia. In his speech, which will be released online Monday, Obama plans to show students the importance of staying in school, studying hard, and improving the nation’s education system.
Wethersfield students were expecting to hear the speech during class.
“It wasn’t going to be mandatory. The librarian planned on setting up a small viewing screen,” said Casey Lilley, President of the Wethersfield Young Democrats.
But Friday afternoon, students received a letter from the Superintendent saying those plans were canceled. The letter said Obama’s speech has raised considerable debate, and administrators thought it best not to disrupt the school day.
“They said it was about taking instructional time, but this is history in the making right now. At no other time in our generation, even the generation ahead of us, have we been able to sit in class and get a direct message to our generation from the President of the United States,” said Lilley.
Those against Obama’s address say the President is trying to sway the nation’s youth to follow his political ideas. The Wethersfield students don’t believe that’s the case and say it’s the school that’s giving out mixed messages.
“I was a little confused as to why were weren’t able to watch it because in February of last year we were able to watch the inauguration in our auditorium and we were really encouraged to go down and see it,” said Julia Brzezicki, Secretary for the Young Democrats.
Superintendent Michael Kohlhagen says he is sorry to hear that the speech has caused such controversy.
"I certainly value the opinion of all our community members, and of course, we want our students to be strong civic leaders and express their opinion. Early this morning, I did make arrangements to tape the President's address to use for instructional purposes. Our instructional time is precious, and our intent is not to disrupt the instructional day," he said when asked to explain his decision.
Kohlhagen also said the school doesn’t have the capacity to show the President’s address to all students at one time.
