I have a confession to
make. At the end of last school year, I
was totally burned out and could think of nothing but getting as far away from
Oakridge Public Schools as I could get.
I was sick to death of the politics and the gossip and administrators who
all seemingly buy into the ridiculous notion that teachers are the cause of all
that is wrong with American education. I
had decided to have the surgery I’d been putting off for too long, but more importantly,
I made up my mind to address the source of my unhappiness. I
tuned out the 24/7 onslaught from the television and Internet and started each
morning reading all things spiritual, went to Mass twice a week, and only went
north of the Grand River when forced to do so.
For the first time in my career as a teacher, I dreaded the coming of
August and thought longingly about retirement. So I know very well and sympathize with
those of us who try hard to insulate ourselves from the constant noise that
surrounds us during the school year. It’s
distracting and too often hurtful, and saps energies intended for better use.
Unfortunately, that self-protective mode
does little to address the onslaught that threatens our jobs and livelihood,
and that onslaught persists. For all Mr.
Livezey’s claims to the contrary, the evaluation process at Oakridge is still a
dog and pony show. Every evaluation done
at the secondary level last year was of questionable validity. Teachers at the middle school evaluated
themselves, admittedly a more prudent and admirable approach than at the high
school, though that approach would hardly pass an objectivity test. At the high school, evaluations from the
previous year, by a previous administrator, formed the basis for the final
evaluation of most of the teachers in an effort to meet the superintendent’s
June 30 deadline. And in one case, the
evaluation was not used to address the teacher’s value as an educator, but as a
disciplinary tool to satisfy the insecurities of an inexperienced administrator.
Additionally, we spent hour upon hour last
summer putting together a wage supposal that was both realistic, and would
address the injustices of the last four years for our youngest teachers. At the same time, we asked that the district
allow the membership to opt for Messa ABC Plan 1 to help relieve some of the
economic pressures created by the hard cap.
The first suggestion would have cost the district about $40,000, the
second, nothing at all. In those
informal talks, we were informed that the board preferred to wait until this
year’s audit is complete before committing to any salary improvements. Well and good, but the insurance request would
have no impact on the district’s finances!
Instead, we were informed that the only way the ABC plans would be
considered was contingent upon our willingness to re-open the entire collective
bargaining agreement and re-negotiate a contract we just signed last
March. Those “discussions” have made it
clear to the bargaining team that Mr. Livezey is not just unwilling, but
incapable of genuinely advocating for teachers with the school board,
particularly if there is any chance the board will resist the effort. His aversion to personal risk is almost
pathological and gives the lie to his claims of concern for the plight of
teachers and staff.
Your building rep has probably already
approached you with a PAC envelope and a plea this week. Please don’t toss the envelope in the garbage
and claim that politics doesn’t concern you.
Everything that we’re dealing with at the district level originated with
the mindset in Lansing, and that mindset is continually working to find new
ways to make your job more difficult. If
$5.00 is all you can afford, that’s great.
If you can afford $20, though, that would be fantastic. Rick Snyder has deep pockets, and will throw
money toward those who support him in an effort to bury those who oppose him. Your interests, and the interests of your
family and students, need to answer those deep pockets in kind. Give whatever you can. Please.
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