Struck Numb by the Strike
A few weeks ago, the Dallas, PA community was notified of a potential teacher strike, set to start the week of Thanksgiving. Then, on November 11th, just one school day before the strike began, the community was notified that teachers would not be working as of that coming Monday, November 14th. I am certain there was a legitimate reason for the abrupt change, but as a parent, it was not quite enough time to prepare for child care - since both Mike and I are working parents. And, I am confident that we were not the only parents feeling a bit put-out by this sudden change in plans.
Recently, the community of parents, children, administrators, and supporters gathered at the Dallas High School to learn more about the strike during the monthly school board meeting. One hundred fifty teachers attended, including their union president. Also in attendance was my husband... who loves data, and statistics, and facts...
I am an educator. I have also spent years studying and teaching the basic fundamentals of running a business. Here's a quick synopsis - when there isn't enough money, something must change in order to continue operations. So, Dallas School District teachers, there isn't any more money; therefore, something must change in order to continue having our children learn and socialize and grow as the awesome people they are... in SCHOOL!
Starting teacher salaries in our K-12 schools are above what many educators get paid to teach at a college level. The school board actually proposed an even higher starting salary in order to recruit the best teachers to work in our district. Why is that offer not acceptable from the union's perspective?!?
The rising cost of health care is not unique to the United States; however, what appears to be unique to many teachers is the idea of sharing in the costs associated with paying for health care. To have a union leader announce during a school board meeting "We will NEVER pay a dime for health care" is unthinkable, in my eyes. I am part of a union, and I believe it is RESPONSIBLE to share in the costs of things that impact me and my family. Relying upon tax increases (every year!) to pay for someone else's health care seems selfish to me. Actually, it feels irresponsible and wrong. From the data that has been shared from the school board, our taxes cannot legally be increased any more. What suggestions does the union propose other than NOT EVER paying for health care? We community members are waiting anxiously to hear suggestions to help further the negotiations.
I believe my frustration is growing because, according to various situations during that school board meeting that Mike attended, teachers seemed surprised or confused by information they were hearing from the board. It's like their representation hasn't been effectively communicating both sides of the negotiations... and our children are the ones suffering at the hands of miscommunication among grown, educated leaders in our community and schools.
Times are changing. The way our nation worked when unions were first created is not how things work now. The environment in the Dallas School District is not abusive. Work hours are not overly excessive. Resources are abundant and services are readily available. Mike and I intentionally moved to this town in order for our son to attend one of the best school districts in NEPA. Please, teachers, stop making us regret this decision by taking a look outside of yourselves... outside of the world of teachers unions... and see the reality that the rest of the world is facing with regard to salaries, resources, health care. Listen to the school board - not just your president and legal representative. Listen to the children who are tearfully missing their teachers and friends, their principals and staff.
Please. End the strike.
Recently, the community of parents, children, administrators, and supporters gathered at the Dallas High School to learn more about the strike during the monthly school board meeting. One hundred fifty teachers attended, including their union president. Also in attendance was my husband... who loves data, and statistics, and facts...
I am an educator. I have also spent years studying and teaching the basic fundamentals of running a business. Here's a quick synopsis - when there isn't enough money, something must change in order to continue operations. So, Dallas School District teachers, there isn't any more money; therefore, something must change in order to continue having our children learn and socialize and grow as the awesome people they are... in SCHOOL!
Starting teacher salaries in our K-12 schools are above what many educators get paid to teach at a college level. The school board actually proposed an even higher starting salary in order to recruit the best teachers to work in our district. Why is that offer not acceptable from the union's perspective?!?
The rising cost of health care is not unique to the United States; however, what appears to be unique to many teachers is the idea of sharing in the costs associated with paying for health care. To have a union leader announce during a school board meeting "We will NEVER pay a dime for health care" is unthinkable, in my eyes. I am part of a union, and I believe it is RESPONSIBLE to share in the costs of things that impact me and my family. Relying upon tax increases (every year!) to pay for someone else's health care seems selfish to me. Actually, it feels irresponsible and wrong. From the data that has been shared from the school board, our taxes cannot legally be increased any more. What suggestions does the union propose other than NOT EVER paying for health care? We community members are waiting anxiously to hear suggestions to help further the negotiations.
I believe my frustration is growing because, according to various situations during that school board meeting that Mike attended, teachers seemed surprised or confused by information they were hearing from the board. It's like their representation hasn't been effectively communicating both sides of the negotiations... and our children are the ones suffering at the hands of miscommunication among grown, educated leaders in our community and schools.
Times are changing. The way our nation worked when unions were first created is not how things work now. The environment in the Dallas School District is not abusive. Work hours are not overly excessive. Resources are abundant and services are readily available. Mike and I intentionally moved to this town in order for our son to attend one of the best school districts in NEPA. Please, teachers, stop making us regret this decision by taking a look outside of yourselves... outside of the world of teachers unions... and see the reality that the rest of the world is facing with regard to salaries, resources, health care. Listen to the school board - not just your president and legal representative. Listen to the children who are tearfully missing their teachers and friends, their principals and staff.
Please. End the strike.
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