I had the privilege of teaching in the classroom next to Jim's for a few years. He gave great lectures and made the young'uns think. I learned a few tricks of the trade by watching and listening to him practice his craft. The teaching experience was more years ago than either of us may want to admit. Over the years, we've kept in touch sporadically. We still can't call each other by our first names. a habit we formed when we taught together. I last spoke with him in early December, and I joked about his running for higher office.
I was one of several who helped him start his South Dakota political career by attending a Republican county meeting and casting a vote for him to be delegate to the state Republican convention. We've moved in different directions politically, but we both agree that South Dakota schools, in the main, do a good job. He cast a courageous vote against HB 1234. Although I'm not sure I understand the source of some of his objections to Common Core, we both agree that the Common Core will do little to improve students' achievement.
Because he is willing to listen to both sides, Bolin will be an excellent candidate for Commissioner of School and Public Lands. Of course the fact that people like me are willing to say good things about him may cause him some problems. Less than thirty minutes after Powers posted his announcement one commenter posted:
Jim’s alright, but just alright. He’s spends as much time pandering to liberals as he does conservatives.I never thought listening to people with opposing views counted as pandering or made one a doubtful candidate.
