It has always been a little disconcerting to hear the constant plea from the educational establishments for more money. It is as if money is the cure-all for the decline in educational excellence. Even from a novice observer, one can see there is more to play here than money will solve.

New facilities aren’t the answer either.

I believe educators and parents need to improve techniques of encouraging excellence in the classroom. Not every child is going to be an honor student and that is a fact most would agree on. Motivated students should not be held back because of those who do not want to or cannot keep up. It is a tough environment out there and in our system you either succeed or fail.

Educational excellence begins in the home and works its way through the system from there. If there is no supervision in the home, it will be difficult for schools to overcome the lack of structure and discipline a good family environment provides. Unfortunately, all children do not come from functional two parent homes where these virtues exist.

There are far too many distractions for young minds today to foster good study habits. Cell phones, video games, computers, drugs, gangs and etc. are taking its toll on our youth.

I’m not an educator or psychologist, but some things are just plain old common sense. With the present conditions in the school system, it will be an uphill battle to persuade voters to give the system more money. Why should we? A new building isn’t going to address the problems causing the poor results. At some point in time you just have to say enough is enough and return to the chalk- board.

Every time I hear the call for more money I recall my early experiences in the public school system. Education began for me in a two-room school with first, second and third grades in one room and fourth, fifth and sixth in the other room—only one teacher for each room, no inside plumbing, no electricity, no air conditioning, no lunch room, and only a pot bellied stove for heat. We drew water from a well and chopped wood for the stoves.

Guess what? We thrived and learned. It was due to discipline, desire to learn, encouragement and support from home rather than the conditions of the school. Buildings do not educate.

James G. Smith is a community columnist.