8 Comment

  • Ecapa456

    I find it interesting that the opening line of this article begins with information about the extracurricular activities proposed for elimination. The district is proposing to reduce the number of teachers significantly (between 35-37 teachers…this is a small district only approximately 240? teachers entirely)! This is an absolute shame. The primary focus of a school system is to provide an education to students. Yes, the extracurricular activities are very important and on the secondary level as they serve to prepare young people for college and beyond. Everyone who spoke last night has very valid and just concerns and our community only serves to benefit from this shared discussion.

    My concerns are for the youngest members of the community…the elementary students. As one of the teachers who spoke last night mentioned “their voices are often not heard.” I don’t think people are fully aware of how increased class size impacts children who are just beginning school and who have likely only had half-day Kindergarten. Individual teaching time and attention will be even more limited as will space in the classrooms. State standards are going to be more demanding (even at the primary level children need to meet performance expectations) and more will be expected of our children. Students with behavioral and academic needs above and beyond the norm will be in larger classes with one teacher who is teaching MORE students. This impacts ALL students.

    In regards to the construction currently underway…with less teachers available will the additional classrooms even be occupied?

    Our community’s greatest resource is OUR CHILDREN. People must let the board of education as well as our superintendent know that only 2 administrative reductions and 35 teaching reductions is not balanced. As the President of the Teacher’s Union so eloquently stated last night “the people closest to the children are the most important.” Other than parents, it is often a child’s teacher who makes the greatest impact on their lives.

  • Anonymous

    We preciously reported on that. We’ve linked to that story above. — Grant

  • Anonymous

    Previously, that is. It wasn’t all that precious. — Grant

  • Anonymous

    Is that what you did at your job? You willingly gave back your money and began doing more–because that’s what everyone else is doing?
    Please enlighten me as to where this is happening–besides in education.

  • G Golder

    Yes, the teachers should be ashamed their demands. Especially when you consider their pay and benefits to our men and women in the military! If the teachers and other school employees don’t like their pay, then I suggest they find work elsewhere.

  • Anonymous

    google is your friend.

  • Anonymous

    Yes I have, yes I did and in fact have NEVER requested a raise in my life. I have spent hundreds if not thousands of my own money to ensure that what needed to be done was done because it was right and there just wasn’t a budget for it. It’s the right thing to do. And at the time I was making about 1/2 of what many people here make and still live quite comfortably. I have served in the military most of my adult life, and have worked in the civilian sector in multiple capacities. It does happens in many small businesses across the nation. It happens frequently in organizations that serve the communities in youth programs, non-profits and service organizations. When it doesn’t happen….there in lies the problem. School districts across the state have had to make sacrifices..some more than others. Some districts teachers were willing to give up their raises to save jobs and the budgets (I believe Brentwood did that recently).
    The point is simple….sacrifices are being made by many and a few should not be the exception. The whole process has become quite complicated and not necessary. Money may make the world go around but it certainly doesn’t bring happiness. It’s time to put the focus back into educating our children and not worrying about “what’s in it for me”.

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