Last week, I had the joy of running our Scholastic Book Fair. Bringing books to students and helping them develop a love of reading is one of the most rewarding things I do.

That joy, though, comes with a sense of urgency.

I was recently asked how I would address the problem of high school students graduating without strong reading skills. It is a critical question, and the answer starts right here. Oak Grove School District serves students from TK through 8th grade, and this is exactly where literacy must be built, reinforced, and mastered before students move on.

At Parkview, several of those same kinds of murals are in disrepair. Faded, chipped, and in need of fresh paint and care. Parkview is where I volunteer and where I know firsthand how much the community loves this school. Our students deserve an environment that reflects that love.