“Speak Out” is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Scott Dempsey.

As parents, we may not love every decision the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board makes.

We may not even have a vested interest in the school system at this particular time, but we can all agree that the children of our community are worth investing in.

Think about the positive impressions adults made in your life as a child and how those influenced you. Helping the children in our public schools is a great way to ensure our city is a better place going forward.

There are many fantastic organizations that can help you positively influence your neighborhood kids. You can become a lunch buddy, a mentor, or a career coach using only a small percentage of your time. You can donate snacks, school supplies, or even just a pencil with little cost to you.

A donation of your time or resources can have a profound impact on the life of a child. You can change the course of his or her career, and ultimately make Charlotte, or YOUR town, a better place to live.

With your help, children in our schools can thrive and one day return the favor to generations behind them.