Category: Important to Know

They’d best be since they are the last resort of school and education problem solutions from parental viewpoints. Some board members truly try to understand and stand up for parents when they’ve concerns or complaints. Others  seem to maintain the attitude that they know best, along with their determination to follow policy set down through state boards from the Federal Department of Education – in other words that education is not actually local as it is supposed to be. Remember, no where in the Constitution is the word ‘education.’ What is not addressed within the Constitution is left to the states.

Generally, federal courts recognize the fundamental rights of parents to direct the “upbringing and education of children.” This, factually, isn’t holding up well of late. Still, if and when parents are insistent and determined they can cause school districts to pay better attention and in some instances remedy unseemly situations. Some of the back to school suggestions listed here might be met with resistance from teachers and principals. That is when you and other  displeased parents, as many as you can gather, ought attend school board meetings and speak up. If you cannot, you all should email and/or call every board member and politely but clearly challenge the issue asking what they intend to do. Let them know that you expect their assistance.

Parents and guardians should:

Of course, be notified if their child is tardy or absent from school;

Request and arrange a time to examine textbooks (sometimes these are on display at the local library for a brief time albeit often parents are unaware), lesson plans, curriculum and supplemental materials used in their child’s classroom.  Don’t let them tell you they only use supplemental materials so you don’t need to see the text as it isn’t much in use. Really? Then why do they have it, and did taxpayers pay for it? You want to look at everything;

Ask for a time to visit the school, and observe your child’s classes;

Meet and consult with the teacher and other educators with whom your child interacts;

Continue reading “Are Board Members Friends of Parents?”

Apparently, each school district has a ‘union president’ representing the teachers’ union. Often this ‘president’ has been a long time teacher, familiar with the district and its policies, administration, staff, other teachers and board members. He or she attends all board meetings, from time to time presents citizen comments asking the board to consider this or that. Each school building, too, has a union representative with whom the union president maintains contact, keeping each up to date re union concerns.

You would expect the union president to be paid by the union. Probably the case in most instances, but not in all. In our district the president’s salary is paid half by the district – what? – and half by the union. Moreover, the district provides her an office including related expenses. At a meeting when I question this the longest, or second longest board member claims it is right to do so because the ‘president’ is so helpful to us/the district. Whatever that means. My sense is that it is altogether inappropriate. The ‘president’ represents the union – the board represents the district, oh and its taxpayers. In effect then, we are in opposition. At least we are supposed to be. It can and should certainly be reasonable and respectful opposition, but opposition nonetheless.

Policy makes clear that political activity is not to take place during district hours, on district property (albeit her office is on district property) or utilizing district equipment of any kind. Seems clear and simple enough to me. And to the State. Though not to some others.

Often when a parent, reporter, potential contractor or whomever will file a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) lists of these appear on the Board Meeting Agenda. Members seem to ask with some regularity about the response to these so the administration determines to add the responses. Good move. Except one day I am reading through these, not even sure why, and come across something rather interesting. Remember, another district/union policy is that union members at whatever level are not to discuss politics during district hours, on district property, or utilizing district equipment of any kind.

Continue reading “Teachers’ Unions – Part Two”

There is a time during our history when we need unions.  Many early employers care little and take terrible advantage of workers. So, workers organize in order to negotiate better working conditions, salaries, eight hour and sick days, and paid vacation time. These are reasonable and right requests.  Then, for a time, unions almost overtake employers demanding far more than is necessary and causing some companies to close. Somewhere here, there must be a middle ground.

Public service unions – policemen, fire fighters, first responders, certain health care concerns and air traffic controllers might unionize but are required to go to arbitration because they ought not put the public at risk by striking – which isn’t the case in all states. Some other government workers, including and possibly especially teachers gain more and more and are accountable for less and less. We pay far more into education than ever while our children’s level of learning remains flat lined. What then, is the precise purpose of over funding educators? Wish I knew.

I know how it happens, I just don’t comprehend why we allow it.

Public sector administrators such as school superintendents have incentives to see their subordinate employees paid as highly as possible because their own and their immediate staff’s salaries tend to rise in tandem with those of their unionized employees. This is something of which I am altogether unaware until serving on the Board.

Continue reading “Teachers’ Unions – Part One”