President To Address Students: Not All In Favor

Should our president be able to address America's youth? That's the question that's stirring up a lot of controversy with some pretty strong thoughts on both sides.

President Barack Obama plans to talk to students next Tuesday at noon in a speech televised on C-SPAN.

The president says it's to motivate kids to stay in school. The Department of Education says the address will challenge the students to work hard and set goals.

Some folks seem to think it's more than that. We had lots of debate on our facebook page.

Candi Tompkins says, “I don't care what party. I do not want any politician in my child's school! Children are there to learn the curriculum offered in regulated courses of study, any outside influence is unwelcome in my book!”

Gretchen Brown Dixon stands on the other side of the argument, saying, “I don't even know why it's a controversial issue to have our nation's president address our school children. Whether my candidate is in office or not, my daughter knows who he is, respects him, and will listen to what he has to say.”

I spoke to school leaders and folks out around town to see what they think of the President’s speech to the children.

It's just an ordinary day in class for 6th graders at Isle of Hope School. Come next week, they'll be hearing from President Barack Obama.

"It's gonna be great,” says Ayeanna Tyson, a 6th grader at Isle of Hope.

“This time he's talking to people like 12 and it's kind of exciting that the president is going to be talking to little kids than grown-ups,” says 6th grader, Canyon North.

“I just think that it's a great thing that our president would speak to our children since they are our most important treasures and let them know that education is top on his list,” explains Julie Gannam, principal at Isle of Hope.

We hit the streets to see what everyday folks think.

“Do you think that this speech be aired at school?” I ask Richard Devlin.

“Yes I do. I can understand the objections of making a policy speech. I don't think it is that. President Bush made a similar speech to stop drugs and the use of drugs in school when he was in office. That would be a policy speech to me,” explains Devlin.

“Yes, I think it would be good for the kids to hear it. He's a good role model and it's a positive message,” says Anne Daly-Gallagher.

“He is the President of the United States. Presidents of the United States have always talked to their constituents through town hall meetings on TV and through State of the Union addresses. Why shouldn't he talk to the children of this country,” says City of Savannah Alderman, Van Johnson.

But, the chairman of the savannah area young republicans doesn't agree.

“He seems to be quite the propaganda machine, so it's like great, its another opportunity for the children at this point to hear what the president has to say versus learning things in school,” says Michael Gaster, Chairman of the Savannah Area Young Republicans.

I did find one person who told me it was a terrible idea, but he would not go on camera.

While some schools in our area will be showing President Obama's Speech, children don't have to watch it.

"The viewing is not mandatory, parents can opt-out by calling their school and asking their principal that their child not view the program,” says Carol McMillian, spokeswoman, Beaufort County Schools.

Some Beaufort County Schools are choosing to view the address first and then decide whether to show it to students.

In Chatham County, there will be other activities for those who choose not to view the speech.