Mehlville Teacher Stories Part 1

Readers,

Teachers at my school have had a long email thread going this week communicating with each other concerning our dismal state of financial affairs. I think it is important that that the community be made aware of some of these stories to be able to understand our situation with the most information and data possible. The post below is from a teacher who has been at Oakville High School for many years. I have removed names from these emails to make sure that our colleagues privacy is protected. Please read and pass on.

You are probably surprised to hear from me since I rarely join in the brouhaha through email, but I have to agree with xxxxx and the others when it comes to the issue of the lack of follow-through in our district. How many times can you cry wolf? Threats are not effective unless they are carried out. And are they really threats? Aren't they simply statements of fact? We do not have the money to transport every child in the district. We cannot fund all sports. We cannot fund EDEP contracts for clubs and organizations. If that is true, then follow through and show the community that we will make the cuts necessary to make ends meet.

There is a reason that I live in the Lindbergh district. As a community, we support our schools and teachers. When my two sons were in middle school and high school, a tax levy was presented with the warning that specific cuts would be made if the levy did not pass. Sure enough, the levy failed. As a result, there was no bus transportation for students living within a two mile radius of school. All sports teams for freshmen were cut. Teachers did not stay after school to help students, working to contract only. (Some of us remember when we worked to contract here. I almost died having to wait til 7:00 to walk in the front door! Yes, I'm here at 6:00!) When the tax levy reappeared on the ballot in the spring.....GOLLY GEE! It passed with flying colors!!! All services were reinstated, and Lindbergh continued on its merry way.

I have been in this district a looooong time, and nothing ever changes. We present a happy face to the community, and the community says, "See? They don't need any money. They make do with what they have. Teachers got 6% last year. Why do they deserve more?" Have they seen how many years my salary has been frozen? Have they paid attention when steps have been added, making me work longer to reach the top? Do they know we have no cost-of-living increase? What about the year I got a raise of a whole $100 for the year and administrators got 3-6%? I don't want to mention how many years my take-home pay has been less than the year before. There are those of you in the building (and district) who have experienced the same thing.

Those of us who voted "no" Monday afternoon are aware that our vote doesn't matter in the long run. However, we needed to have a voice. The offer is not acceptable. We are tired of taking the brunt of every cut. Start making the other cuts we have threatened repeatedly, and maybe the community will notice. Putting on a happy face and carrying the load on our shoulders every year certainly hasn't worked.

Oakville Senior High School


I'll be posting more of these day by day...Keep reading and pass on the link to the blog to your friends.