Seek solutions, not a scapegoat

Dear Editor,

 

I am writing this letter because there are many “loud voices” in our community who are blaring inaccuracies about our local school district. I am a community member, a local tax payer, a parent who will soon have two school aged children, and the spouse of an educator and I am concerned about those inaccuracies people are taking as fact.

 

I want to represent the teachers and administrators who are putting in work to make our school the best it can be. These people are educating our children while getting spoken to and about horribly. These people have come to the school board with ideas and solutions yet were not acknowledged or heard.

 

Rather than sharing opinions with no supporting facts, I chose to do my own research. As I examined board minutes I noted resignations within different departments last spring. There were several resignations where positions were not replaced 1:1 but with less staff doing the same amount of work. I say this because the situation ties directly to the financial situation of our school. It also should be noted that the hiring and over staffing was made (for the most part) by the previous superintendent and some of the school board that is still present. However, staffing isn’t the only issue with spending, what about the other spending in general? The public hasn’t commented on the state mandated minimum teacher salaries, which are well earned, but still hard for a school district to maintain. Yet with news of teachers not being replaced much of the public is concerned with class size and the effect on their child, unfortunately you can’t have it both ways.

 

There are many decisions that were made by the previous superintendent or that are state mandated that Dr. Spence inherited, leaving him in a difficult position. It is evident he attempted and continues to strive to make the best decisions in order to retain staff and most importantly support our students, yet he has received very little support from the school board.

 

While Mr. Gum admits the board is also at fault, why is Dr. Spence the only one receiving retribution? The school board should be accountable for the financial situation just as much as Dr. Spence— that is the job of the board. It is very inappropriate to use one man as a scapegoat when there are many who failed to do the job they were elected to do with no consequence.

 

In closing, I encourage this board as well as the community to take responsibility, and look for solutions rather than placing blame or listening to the loud, negative voices. Instead of posting, reading, and talking about how horrible things are, use that energy to seek solutions.

 

I will continue to support the people working tirelessly to make our school a better place. I will support the educators, the administrators, and Dr. Spence as the leader of our district!

 

Sincerely,

Brendon Wilson