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Dear
friends,
We also
need to remember that we have consistently underpaid our teachers, perhaps the
most important members of our society, and that often these teachers pay out of
their own pockets for supplies and special events for the class. I personally witnessed
this when last year one of my children’s teacher paid for the food for the end
of the semester party out of her own checkbook.
Few weeks
ago there was a great program on NPR that talked about the shortage of teachers
in our country and the fact that many of the existing teachers are leaving this
honorable profession because they cannot afford to live on the salaries. This problem
is reaching critical proportions… many school districts cannot fill their openings
and are resorting to lowering their standards for teachers.
Do we really
want to continue this trend in our society? We face increasing competition from
other countries for brainpower. US no longer can ignore the fact that most of
its scientists, engineers, doctors, etc are foreigners who would leave US in a heartbeat
if they could go back to their country! We have become lazy and apathetic and
our children are going to suffer for it.
For those
who are childless… just remember that someone paid for your education! It is
time that we wake up and face the truth that we cannot afford to play political
games and buy votes any more. We cannot look at the strategic defense of this
country only in terms of military spending. Our country is in serious jeopardy due
to the appalling state of education in our schools. We also suffer from lack of
vision and prevalent political maneuvering within our school districts, which causes
severe misappropriation of funds. This of course is dwarfed by the fact that southern
Idaho takes far more out of north Idaho in form of taxes than it spends here. Indeed
we would be a far richer state if we separated north from south and created a
state of north Idaho! This is not an original idea… southern Idaho has been
milking north Idaho for years... in fact this has been going on since they stole
the records and the seal from the capital (Lewiston) and moved them to Boise! But
I digress!
We are
fortunate to have some great school in this town. My children are thriving at
the Lena Whitmore School thanks to the dedicated teachers, staff, and an enlightened
principal. We have the fortune to enjoy the dedication and fortitude of these
men and women who give of themselves everyday to improve our society in the
most real way possible. Education is a gift… we should not, however, take this
for granted; there is a limit to generosity, benevolence, and dedication to service…
one has to eat as well!
“Your brother
in arms”
Shahab…
-----Original
Message-----
From: Patricia Nelson
[mailto:pnelson@moscow.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001
12:43 PM
To: John Danahy
Cc: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: Re: Moscow teachers
Dear
Visionaries,
I think the key word in my earlier
response is proposal--"a plan or offer, presented for acceptance or
rejection," New World Dictionary.
Concerning citizen input on spending, I feel Mr. Danahy hit the nail on the
head. This community should have a say as to how their tax $$ are being
spent. They should have been polled on the size and cost of the new
Administration Building that sits at 650 N. Cleveland. The taxpayers should
have been polled on the size and cost of the new bus barn and the new
warehouse. They should also be polled on future plans for buildings and
facilities, and should be informed about sources of funds to accomplish these
plans.
Tricia Nelson :-)
John Danahy wrote:
Perhaps a different question could be
asked regarding the issues Patricia Nelson wrote about.Are these issues to be
discussed or demands imposed with the threat of a strike?Is the MEA proposing
methods to achieve these demands within the budget or are children being used
as hostages to force a tax increase?Where is the voice of the community heard? At one time this
community voted each year on whether or not to provide extra funding to its
teachers. This extra funding, an @ 4.5 million dollar supplemental levy,
is paid for by local property taxes. Is it time to return to the practice
of approving a supplemental levy each year? I would certainly appreciate
the opportunity to voice my opinion of teachers by voting yes or no on the
supplemental levy. John John and Laurie Danahy
jdanahy@turbonet.com
-----
Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, August 14,
2001 9:53 PM
Subject: Re:
Moscow teachers
Dear visionaries,
I can share a little on the issues of the teachers that are unresolved as of
today. The following are the proposals of the Moscow Education Association:
·
Health care benefits for individuals and family members
·
Compensation for committee and extra-curricular duties
·
Respect for committee recommendations
·
Sufficient work time to prepare classrooms and curriculum for the
upcoming year
·
Early retirement incentives
·
Adequate and equitable classroom budgets
·
Salary compensation package which addresses cost of living increases and
is regionally competitive
·
PERSI
The Moscow
School Board began mediation with 32 proposals, but they have been cut down to
10. The two teams are working with the Federal Mediator as I write this.
Hopefully talk will continue and a settlement will be reached quickly.
Tricia
Nelson :-)
Lois
Melina wrote:
Dear
visionaries,
I
saw teachers with signs in front of the District office today, so I'm
wondering what perspectives the people on this list have on the issues that
are unresolved. If someone can summarize what those issues are, I'd
appreciate that also.
Lois