By Andrew Kelly
Special to the Herald
There is no simpler, more poignant way to put it: BUSD Superintendent Charles Young has failed his district. He is putting the education of thousands of Benicia’s youngest on the line all because of his relentless approach to cost-cutting. He has openly talked about cutting back on the elective programs that have made BHS the envy of schools statewide. Because of this, BUSD teachers, by a 90 percent majority, placed a vote of no confidence in Charles Young. And to this, I say good for them.
Charles Young has a history of incompetent leadership that goes far beyond his rocky tenure at BHS. While he was associate superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, the district failed to follow federal anti-bullying regulations outlined in Seth’s Law, thereby violating Title IX. This resulted in a claim against the district by parents of one of the bullied, alleging that the district’s lack of teeth regarding bullying policy resulted in deteriorating mental and physical health for their child, according to the Palo Alto Weekly.
Some might think that this is a one-off incident, and that Charles Young has done an OK job as superintendent. In response, I would like to bring up the grad requirement fiasco that shook the school to its core. During the 2016-17 school year, the Young-led BUSD announced that they would be revamping the graduation requirements at Benicia High School. The plan they had drafted up included reducing the amount of space for electives and making the ability for students to take four years of art, band or drama nearly impossible. Understandably so, this left several students afraid their favorite teacher or class would be sacked, and left several great elective and art teachers afraid they would be fired. And yet, even after a resounding “No!” from the BUSD community at the school board meeting discussing it, Young and BHS Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt saw it fit to have another meeting about it during this school year, with an obtuse, undemocratic speaking process that left many parents and students unable to voice their opinions about the running of their own school.
But I haven’t even gotten to the worst thing the Young-led BUSD has done. Two times over the last two school years, BUSD under Young has refused to pay teachers salaries competitive with other schools in the Bay Area. This has led to two teacher work-to-rule strikes, including one that is ongoing at the time this article is being written, that have led to teachers threatening to refuse to show up to work. To add insult to injury, BUSD revenue has increased 35 percent since the 2012-13 school year, and BUSD is actually projected to have a surplus in the 2018-2019 school year, according to BUSD finance officer Tim Rahill. Let this sink in. Charles Young is putting your child’s education on the line all because he’s too cheap to properly pay his teachers.
The thought should occur to anyone who has read this article that Charles Young is inept at his job as superintendent. But I would argue that Young is not just inept– he is dangerously so. He has threatened to fire the very teachers that make parents flock to our district-our town! In the words of a Benicia High teacher, “School districts like Oakland are open about the fact that they are struggling and will ask for assistance. Here in Benicia they are struggling, but instead of asking for help they choose to save face.”
It should be clear now that Charles Young and the BUSD board trustees that enable him are a threat to your child’s educational well-being. Unfortunately, the position of board superintendent is not an elected position in our town. However, the board trustees that elect the superintendent are, and many of them are up for election this year. If we vote out the board trustees that are happy to see Young defile our great district, then maybe we can prevent Young from embarrassing our town the same way he did with Palo Alto. This is why I call on all Benicia residents from age 18 to 118 to go out and vote for a new school board that is in line with the hopes and dreams of those in it, and not the whims of its unelected leader.
Andrew Kelly is a senior at Benicia High School.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
The question I have is what school board members do you want voted out? Also what is the teachers union doing about all these things you are saying. This appears to be a personal attack. There appears to be more to this than just the Superintendent. Is your motive poilitical? I think there needs to be more talk about this issue that you are bring up. Thank you.
Andrew Kelly says
Hey Bob,
When I talked to my teachers at BHS to get information before writing this article, they told me about a letter sent out by BUSD board chair Diane Ferrucci that stated the entire school board was behind Young and only paid lip service to teacher raises. They said the worst offenders of being a “rubber stamp” on the school board were Board Chair Diane Ferrucci and Finance cheif Tim Rahill. Another thing they told me was interesting was that the board has always tried to model it’s practices based on the very successful south bay school districts, however whenever the subject of pay increases come up, they always point to salaries of Solano schools, all of which towns have much lower living costs than Benicia.
On the topic of what the teachers union thinks of all this, the Union Rep at BHS was able to tell me that they are extremely frustrated this for many reasons, some of which I outlined in this article. They simply can’t wrap their heads around why we can’t afford to pay our teachers rates competitive with other school districts in the bay. In fact, when “fact finding” for this article, I found out that there was a teacher who had only been here 1 year-who was more than qualified for the position he held, perhaps overqualified, who plans on leaving this district because of the pay that does not keep up with the living expenses of a town like this and also the way the school district is being run.
Additionally, on the topic of living expenses, many school districts in California will incrementally increase teacher salaries every school year to keep up with living expenses in the towns they are located in. Since Young has come in, the district has fought the teachers every year he has been here about salary increases to cope with living costs, and every year this has taken place under Young, the 2 parties have had to hire an outside mediator because the school board refused to pay teachers competitive salaries. I have personally seen the effects of this on teacher morale every year that it has happened since 2016. Additionally, by refusing to pay salaries capable of compensating for increased living costs, BUSD is encouraging new teachers to not stay in the district for long and discouraging new talent from entering the district.
My intention in this article was not to write a “hit-piece” on Dr. Young or the BUSD. I admit my tone in this article may have been very candid-perhaps overly so-but this candid tone comes from hours of research and teacher interviews about the strikes. My goal with this article was to let the facts speak for themselves, and if that isn’t what ended up happening, than that is a fault of my own.
B.B says
The individuals who are raising an issue with your tone are the same ones that, historically, have been the most brash and confrontational here. Bob has a number of pieces here which are direct problems he has with the city Mayor, and has stood toe to toe with her in person many times. I don’t think there’s anything you said that’s unfair, and there’s no rules saying you have to use a pleasant tone.
Andrew Kelly says
I find that interesting, because a lot of the reasons people seem to not like our mayor for are the same reasons that BUSD teachers and students seem not to like our superintendent-I’d have figured there’d have been some overlap between the two crowds.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
BB I stand toe to toe with the mayor on facts. This LTTE was a hit piece without facts. He then admits his LTTE was very candid, perhaps overly so. Now he has written about those facts without the letter and a lot of the word “:they”. This is a very serious issue and must be presented as a serious issue. I suggest a meeting with a group of student reps and because he mentions teachers they should also be included. I still think it is the unions responsibility to get the teachers the raise they deserve. I am totally behind that. This approach will solve nothing and create a big divide. .
B.B says
There are facts in here though. The surplus, the changes BUSD has attempted to make to graduation requirements, and the school board’s attitudes are observations by the writer, not opinions. I admit there is a lot of personal feelings in this, but I would say they’re a justified frustration. When the mayor cut you off from speaking at a council meeting a few months back you were vocal about calling her out as well (which I also think is completely fair and justified). Similarly, i think its fair for this individual to be able to criticize those in charge for their actions. I agree that the teacher’s union likely should take on some of the responsibility, As a high school student, the author doesn’t have many other avenues to publicly get this stuff out.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
You are correct about the mayor cutting me off. Her problem along with others is that they thought I went over my time limit. I did not and had 2 minutes left. I was correct and the mayor paid dearly for her mistake. The writer has social media at his method to get it out. He did not apparently use that. I still think he should have gone to the school staff to talk this over. It is very apparent it is about money which this student has no say. The teachers union is the issue. By writing a letter on behalf of the Student Council to staff, Superintendent and the board he would have had a much better reception. I assume he could have gotten the student council to back him. Everything he states could well be correct and needs attention but his method showed just a personal view and for sure a hit piece.
B.B says
I guess we have to disagree here. “Social Media” is a loose term, and considering this is an online media platform that allows social communication, I would think it qualifies as social Media, but that’s really just semantics. I haven’t been a student at BHS for a long time, but when I was, the student council had virtually no influence. Generally, the only time BUSD did much in regards to student concerns were when students began explicitly breaking school rules since nobody was really caring anyway. I figure the writer’s goal is to reach a larger audience that is outside the High School, and put the public eye on BUSD. I understand where you see it as a hit piece, but I don’t think that was the intended design at all.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
BB I do thank you for the fact that I do go directly to the mayor and state my case. For that comment I do thank you.
Henry Sun says
I will second Mr. Livesay’s comment, after thanking you for your eloquent letter. Knowing that some school board members “enable” Superintendent Young is not as helpful as knowing which ones do. Being a Benicia resident who teaches Math in Vallejo, I have first hand experience with an enabling board, and knowing which members simply rubber stamped our previous Superintendent’s wishes without oversight and without regard for the larger mission of student education was important in electing a new board (which, admittedly, has its own issues).
Speaker to Vegetables says
Your first paragraph convinced me he is the right guy for the job. “relentless cost-cutting”…”cutting back on elective programs” are things that are ambrosia for me to read. The remainder of the article is just a smear campaign to (bottom line) get rid of a guy who won’t spend money where YOU want him to. Quit whining…nothing worse than somebody who whines. If these programs are so dear to you, volunteer to do them for free!
B.B says
How would a high school student possibly “volunteer to do them for free”? Are they supposed to teach the class?
Laurie B. says
Anybody who calls a citizen who is active in his community a “whiner” is a thoughtless, judgmental, and negative presence. I applaud those who pay attention, form an opinion based on facts, and express themselves. This is a democracy in action. Your attitude stymies a democracy.
Andrew Kelly says
First off, I would like to ask what you don’t like about our school’s brilliant elective classes-the classes which have helped many a student, including myself, find their calling in life and help them choose a major for college. Are you aware that part of the reason Benicia’s schools are so widely appraised in the state of California is because of our top tier elective programs, and that by scrapping these programs, Benicia would be losing an integral part of what makes our schools the envy of many others in the state?
Furthermore, as I have stated in my other comment on this article, my tone in this article may have been candid, perhaps overly so, but my goal in this article was to let the facts speak for themselves-if you don’t feel I accomplished this, then I’m sorry you feel that way.
I won’t be addressing the Ad Hominem you put in your comment, but do you realize what you are asking when you tell me to teach these programs “for free”? First, I would have to require a teacher’s certificate in order to be able to teach by California law-a process that would require thousands in school fees, student loans, and other expenditures such as textbooks. Then, you expect me to teach these classes at an immense loss to my own finances in this hypothetical scenario, and, depending on the elective, do a better job of it than a teacher who has been teaching the class for decades. Do you now realize how ridiculous the sentiment of wanting me to “do these classes for free” is?
Speaker to Vegetables says
Hadn’t realized how inexperienced and incompetent you were. Electives are not necessary (hence, “elective”). If you personally cannot teach them, but you feel that they have merit…perhaps you could put yourself out and find competence outside of public funding for these “worthwhile” paragons. Still whining. Those who see merit in something but cannot find ways to get the job done are whiners-I make no apologies. This “give away” state and community who see nothing wrong with tax and spend are anathema.
Andrew Kelly says
Was there a reubttal somewhere? You didn’t really disprove anything I had to say, all I heard was a lot more ad hominem
Thomas Petersen says
Electives such as art, fine art, music, journalism, computer programming or business can provide an interdisciplinary overlap with more traditional courses, it creates a richer learning experience Electives provide your child a chance to show flair and develop interests and abilities. Being able to choose a class is huge, and this tends to keep kids motivated to learn. The visual arts help strengthen visual learners, music strengthens oral learners, and P.E. strengthens kinetic learners. Students with academic experience in music scored higher both in math and verbal.
Thomas Petersen says
According to initial results of a five-year study by neuroscientists.music instruction appears to accelerate brain development in children, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills,
Speaker to Vegetables says
Electives are worthwhile. That’s why “my” parents paid for music instruction when I was a child. That’s why “my” parents paid for computer programming courses when I was a child. That’s why I received French in 7th grade. My parents were both working class (factory) folks who believed in hard work and actually working extra to get that extra “whatever”. This was back in the 1950s. What happened to everyone in this state that they feel “entitled” to public funds for electives? Hard work seems to be out of favor-at least on the left coast.
Andrew Kelly says
I think it’s great that your parents cared about you enough to pay for those programs for you. Unfortunately, even in our middle class utopia of Benicia, there are low income families, who, after decades of wage stagnation and increasing upper education costs, not everyone can afford to provide their children the same opportunities that your parents could. Also, given the fact that California’s economy on it’s own is the 5th largest in the world-surpassing that of Great Britain, I’d argue that hard work is well in favor here.
Additionally, giving more money to electives would require no increase in your taxes, if that’s what you’re worried about. The BUSD is allocated a certain amount of money per year, and I am just arguing how that allocated money should be spent. Since you seem to be of the fiscal conservative bent, which I can respect, what are your thoughts on BUSD hiring 2 new vice principals even though it’s widely agreed on campus that 2 is sufficient for a school of our size? Please, Mr Vegetables (assuming that is your real surname), tell me what you think about that.
j. furlong says
Contempt for electives such as art, foreign language (which every other country in the world requires a part of a good education), music, computers (not a luxury anymore), PE or other classes indicate a sterile view of education, that is, it is just to prepare someone to make money. Also, study after study shows that schools and districts that have strong programs in art, music, theater, foreign language, etc. etc. do consistently better in all areas of education, particularly math and reading. Just because they are called “electives” does not indicate anything other than the test mania that has pretty much ruined our schools in the past 20 years or so. I was an educator for 35 years and schools and achievement started to decline once two things happened: total emphasis on reading and math as the only things valuable enough to teach seriously (even dropping history and science classes), and mostly Republican efforts to cut funding for education in state after state. I know whereof I speak; I taught school in 7 different states, in 7 different regions, and both happened across the board.
Greedwillgetyou says
Hey KID
Imagine you’ve been accepted to the college of your dreams and like most freshmen you are not quite sure what you want to study. Let’s say you have a passion for teaching and decided to enter a teaching credential program, wouldn’t you do your due diligence and investigate teaching saleries prior to making this commitment? If your answer is yes, then you know you are not becoming a teacher for the money. If your answer is no, then you are at fault for not “doing your homework!”
In either case every employee at BUSD agreeded to their salary prior to accepting the job, so why cry now?
My hope for you and all BUSD students is to become successful and happy
But your letter seems like you were influenced by an unhappy adult that is using you as a tool for their own agenda – the real world doesn’t works this way. No bank teller, barber, nurse, gardener etc can cry about wanting extra money and poof there it is. A real Teachers benefits come from helping other not helping themselves and lets not lose sight that bank tellers, barbers, nurses and gardeners work all summer and most teacher spend nearly all summer vacationing.
I know you think you are doing the right thing but slandering honest hardworking people is not right and the teacher that put you up to this should be ashamed.
I am an independent business man and I can’t pretend to know how to run a school and I don’t think you should either.
B.B says
What an idiotic comment. Starting even from the second word on your statement, even, which is particularly impressive.
Teachers aren’t looking to get rich. But if the cost of living in a town increases, and at the same time the city does not scale how it compensates individuals who are vital components of the town, there is no long term stability. Maybe we should cut any and all pay adjustments for police, fire, libraries, waste management, or any other city job that maintains Benicia.
Your vapid, condescending message has no ideas or suggestions. All you’ve done is whine that you don’t like what someone else has to say. You seem to imply no group has ever fought for labor condition change and had anything come of it, which is ignorant and ridiculously dismissive.
At least you’re right on one thing. You definately have no idea how to run a school.
Speaker to Vegetables says
BUSD needs to trim staff, not hire additional admin; more admin just encourages them to create more admin since none of them want to actually do their jobs, they just want people who work for them to do their jobs. It is called bureaucracy and that is the crux of the problem in public education. That’s on the admin side…the teaching side is just as bad…”educators” resist teaching to the test (being held accountable for a student’s learning and being able to “prove” that you have done something other than baby sit-not that a teacher has much choice with a class size of 35). And that is the teaching side….the political side is at the core…when US was an agrarian society it made sense to educate everyone to the extent of their interest or ability. Now, we have schools that attempt to educate everyone REGARDLESS of their interest or ability. Can’t teach a horse calculus. With class sizes of 35 or more no teacher will reach every student, nor will many in that class care whether or not they learn anything; and it only takes ONE disruptive student to make a day’s lesson plan wasted. Yes, I am a proponent of tracking. Better yet, let the parents do the tracking and provide vouchers so parents can choose where to get an education and stop the current failing bureaucracy called public education.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I have noticed there is the same blame game. It should not be political and blame the Republicans. Teachers teach the students the students do not teach the teachers. The teachers have representation in a union and should use it to its fullest extent. If the school board is as bad as the writer says and also the Superintendent then make the changes. I think you will find out that the school board and the Superintendent are will respected. Get to the main issue. It is money and that means salary. That is the teachers union and they must do that job.
Jane Hara says
Dear Benicia Parents,
The answer, my friends, is not blowing in the wind.
The answer is to reassign or lay off a sh*tload of ridiculously useless, and extremely expensive, administrators.
Sincerely,
One who knows
Matter says
I do not know the details of this fiscal year budget, but it would be wise to ask this question of the teachers:
Beyond salaries, what are the other priorities for the district budget?
It is a long time negotiating tactic by unions to complain about surpluses and low pay. Therefore, all residual pay needs to go to salaries. But what about capital expenses? Building improvements? Special Ed expenditures?
These “extra” budget priorities often aren’t funded due to increasing salaries. That is why every few years we are told the district is broke and we can’t fund needed repairs or expenses. Then a bond measure is floated.
The district and teachers should explain their funding priorities when setting budgets. Not all money can go to salaries.
Finally, before we complain about teachers and their low pay, shouldn’t the community know what their pay scale is? Perhaps the author should ask for and report the step and column metrics for BUSD teacher compensation. That way, the community can evaluate and decide on the level of pay increase. We should start there.
Andrew Kelly says
I’d actually argue that it’s the opposite of what you said: the BUSD is busy spending money on frivolous expenditures like hiring 2 new vice principals even though it’s widely agreed that 2 is enough instead of 3 administrators. I agree with you that BUSD has been very wasteful with taxpayer money, but I’d be careful about blaming the teachers, many of whom are just as upset about the frivolous spending as you are.
Greedwillgetyou says
For the record the second word of my statement “KID”
seems completely appropriate. A (KID) as defined “a young person” less experience and immature seems to be exactly what you are. Regardless of your writting coach you remind me of a spoiled brat that probably doesn’t have a strong male figure in your life to guild you on how to properly express yourself without crossing the line of name calling which only diminishes your point. Probably the reason you seemed so focused on Mr Superintendent, most likely a laden
Andrew Kelly says
It’s a shame you’d rather resort to baseless ad hominem attacks rather than disprove anything I said.
Andrew Kelly says
Also, I think it’s very ironic that you call this article “slander” but then proceed to make baseless assumptions about my personal life (which, FYI, is really nothing of your concern) and all the while make no counter arguments. As someone who claims to own a successful business, and quite eloquently stated their point in their first comment, I would have expected a more professional response with data and counterpoints.
B.B says
For the record, “Idiot” also seems completely appropriate, although possibly too generous to you. Even excusing the multiple spelling and grammar mistakes you make in just a few short sentences, you can’t even provide any worthwhile content. Please do me a favor and make sure you actually have something worth whining about before you choose to attack a student who actually cares about Benicia.
John says
Ok, time to chime in from the cheap seats. I do believe that more dollars need to be funneled to the classroom and I am very concerned about the levels of administration. If I was king for a day I would eliminate the US Department of Education, who by the way doesn’t educate a single person. In its place there would be some type of accounting group to handle the financial side of things. The second thing I would do would be to eliminate or greatly downsize the state department of education. Again, another agency that doesn’t actually educate anyone. Same type of organization in their place – someone to manage the money. This should free up billions for the local school districts right away. The next step is to have an INDEPENDENT audit of the staffing at various school boards to determine what the people and parents in that community want from a school board. My final comment is that anyone who listens to or believes that teachers have not had a raise are sorely misinformed. There are cost of living raises and step and column adjustments made every year. The 5% and 4.8% raises requested by the BTA is over and above those amounts. Step into the real world and find out what a raise is.
Andrew Kelly says
Hey John,
I appreciate your feedback, In the past, teachers have indeed gotten cost of living allowances from the BUSD. However, since Young has taken the reigns as Superintendent, the district has refused to give these teachers allowances, requiring intervention from the union every year he has been in office. That is the reason why the amount being floated for raises is so high-the amount they are being paid right now is woefully behind the ever-increasing costs of living in not only Benicia, but the Bay Area as a whole.
Speaker to Vegetables says
While that is all true Andrew…teaching is not ever going to be a respectably paid vocation–at least until you have put in 20 years or have retired after 30 years. In the news today, as a matter of fact, it was reported that teaching is being outsourced to aliens (non US citizens) because we can pay them less and they won’t complain since they will be living in “golden streets America”. It actually makes sense from a dollar perspective. On another note…teachers “unions” are a disservice to teachers. It is another “one size fits all” which means that teachers cannot negotiate their own salaries individually (like in every other profession where folks have college degrees). It is even written into laws…teachers are not protected by labor laws regarding exempt or non exempt workers.
Thomas Petersen says
STV, Could you please provide a link to the report that includes “teaching is being outsourced to aliens”. I can’t seem to find it using routine search engines. Thank you, TP
Speaker to Vegetables says
I didn’t read it, I heard it on the news on TV earlier today. Dunno if it is true or more “fake news” (my wife watches Foxnews, so who knows…I just listen with half an ear); the report said that the imported teachers would not be eligible for US citizenship and that the benefits (to the district) included not having to pay some benefits such as retirement.
Speaker to Vegetables says
Here’s a link to the foxnews video:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/14/school-districts-increasingly-hiring-foreign-teachers-to-fill-shortages.html
John says
Good points Andrew, but I need to point out one thing. Referring to him as Young is very disrespectful but I guess that’s why you did it.
Andrew Kelly says
You know, you’re right. It would be more proper to call him Superintendent, and I’ll do that from now on. Another thing-thanks for getting your point across without name calling, it’s a real breath of fresh air in a comment section like this!
John says
Thanks. Adult, civil discord. Who’d a thought in this day and age?
Andrew Kelly says
I’ll be the first to admit that my tone here was a bit too “snappy”, but I’d like to think I’ll learn from that by the time I write my next article for the Herald.
But it’s a sad state of affairs when you have people who claim to be grown men telling a teenager that he “lacks a strong male figure in his life” and calling him just about every invective in the book. Oh well, I guess it makes exchanges like this all the more refreshing.
Greedwillgetyou says
To the Kid
My hope for BUSD and the student body is a harmonious end to the name calling and aggressive tackics used by people like yourself. I bet you don’t believe you have misused used a public forum but from my opinion nothing is clearer, I am very disappointed in the teachers that have taken the trust of the good hardworking parents of Benicia only to involve the student body “you” in this shameless action – have they no scruples?
I do applaud your ability to change gears as I read in your recent post, good job!
Now let me say that it was wrong and unfair of me to publicly assume your upbringing and I apologize for disparaging remarks. I have no excuse.
This being said I would hope that a teenage boy with so many activities and social functions available to him would not squander his fleeting youth on fighting in this arena rather than enjoying the time with friends and maybe even getting know the true beauty of young love.
I understand that it is difficult to not get weighed down by the presussure of the media.
I’m sure many people your age watched with admiration as the Florida students stood up for what they believed just.
I would say to do a better job choosing your battles, harness your desire to be heard or famous into something positive. Only don’t ever do it at the expense of others.
As for the fight for a just cause or in this case a living wage increase, you would be wise to address both sides of the table.
If you are going to call out flaws be fair or at consistent and expose both sides, why not interview the parents of the high school student involved with the teacher last year? I would like to hear if they approve an teacher pay increase ( by they way the teacher received a pay increase last year).
Lastly please don’t hang on my words, I mean no I’ll will toward you, teachers, board members or BUSD. I just think that it is time for everyone (including you) to act as an adult and treat each other with respect and courtesy. *this was thumbed on my phone in a crowded train please excuse my lack of editing.
Andrew Kelly says
Thank you for apologizing.
On the topic of who “told me” to write this article-nobody did, It’s just that after hearing the same thing every year about teacher pay and the threat of a strike (which would mean I would be missing out on valuable education, something I think everyone can agree is a foul), it wears thin after a while. As I had stated in an above comment, I know a extremely well qualified teacher who has only teached at this district for a year at this point who is already leaving for greener pastures all because of the way the district is being managed on top of not receiving competitive pay.
I’d also like to point out that I do not spend every fiber of my being writing articles. I have several hobbies, and I have a very well functioning social life and plan on having a nice, fun-filled summer filled with friends, relaxation, and fun trips. Again, not that that’s really any of your business whatsoever.
On the topic of the teacher who hooked up with the student, I completely condone their firing and think it was a great call on the part of the district-that teacher was always bad news, and I would have loved to write an article on it back when it happened were it not for a personal conflict of interest.
I hope I managed to get my point across in a more professional manner than I did above, and once again, I appreciate the apology very much.
Greedwillgetyou says
I would hope the apology would serve as an example for you. A strong decent person can admit when they have made a mistake.
I would ask you to look back at your initial letter and think about about how you may want to readdress this issue in a fair an impartial way.
Yes teachers across the state, country and probably world deserve more, there is no argument.
Yes a first year teacher makes much less then a ten or twenty year teacher but I will say again – all teachers go into this profession knowing this, no argument.
I wouldn’t worry about a first year teacher leaving for greener pastures. This is trend for millennials entering the work force and there is little employers can do to retain them.
Lastly you claim that no teacher has influenced your writing so I wonder about your sources; would you be willing to list them?
To be honest your letter reads like a regurgitation of the BTA spokesperson rhetoric.
I also wonder where you are hearing about teachers salaries every year ? Is this lunch table talk with your friends?
Lastly the BUSD budget should be brought in, (numbers) and all district employee salaries made public if we are going to be able to make a reasonable judgement on this situation.
Again my hope is for better dialogue and true resolution, our students deserve that.