Bridget Bidnger and Dr. Maryam Mohammadkhani Share on Current Issues IN School Board Elections With ‘Changing Times' Host Mary Byrne & Lynn Morris.In this episode of Changing Times, hosts Lynn Morris and Dr. Mary Byrne sit down with Bridget Binger of the Nixa School Board and Dr. Miriam Mahmoodkhani of the Springfield Public School Board to discuss local control, educational technology, and the critical importance of school board elections.Motivations for Running & The Tech OverloadSounding the Alarm: Dr. Mahmoodkhani explains her journey into local politics, which started years ago when she noticed the negative behavioral impacts of personal gaming devices and screen time on children.The "Digital Dark Age": The panel shares deep concerns about the current over-reliance on educational technology. They argue that replacing traditional learning methods—like reading physical books front-to-back and writing in cursive—with tablets and screens deprives children of crucial sensory and motor development.Anti-Human vs. Anti-Tech: The guests clarify they are not anti-technology, but rather "pro-child," expressing worry over an educational shift that prioritizes interfacing with devices over human-centered instruction.The True Purpose of Public EducationLoss of Civic Focus: Dr. Byrne and the guests argue that the original, constitutional intent of public schooling was to build a literate populace capable of self-governance and preserving the republic.Beyond Workforce Development: They express concern that the modern educational system is overly focused on producing a compliant workforce for corporations, rather than cultivating informed, capable citizens who understand history and their constitutional rights.Election Reform and Senate Bill 10002Moving Election Dates: A major segment of the show focuses on a bill sponsored by Senator Adam Schnelting, which moves local school board elections in his district (affecting St. Charles County) from the off-cycle April ballot to the on-cycle November ballot.Increasing Voter Turnout: Because April elections historically suffer from very low turnout (often 8-12%), the panel strongly advocates for moving all local school board elections to November. They believe aligning these votes with presidential and mid-term elections will double or triple community participation.Optional Party Identity: The bill also includes a provision allowing candidates to list their political party preference on the ballot, providing voters with clearer information.A Call to the Broader CommunityEveryone's Responsibility: The panel stresses that the health of a local school district directly impacts the safety, economy, and future of the entire community.Engagement is Key: They urge all citizens—including grandparents and those without children currently in the system—to actively participate in school board elections, noting that the future of the country depends on the education of its youth.