THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602160243
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 121 lines
Don't punish teachers
The School Board is responsible for directing the education of the children in our city. . . . Now that's a scary thought! Let's see, what ``education'' the School Board and the rest of the people involved in this budget mess have provided for the youth? Here are a few lessons:
1. If you make a mistake, avoid taking personal responsibility for the error. This can be done by: a) saying you had no knowledge of the problem; b) blaming someone else.
2. To correct the problem, punish anyone else except for those actually responsible for the problem, by: a) cutting school sports; b) cutting other services that benefit the students; c) making teachers and other school employees take pay cuts.
3. If you are having money troubles, go to a higher authority (City Council) and expect them to bail you out. If they don't help you, you can get mad, stomp your feet, and do something (e.g. proposing cutting out school sports) that will either make them feel guilty so they help you, or make them look like the bad guy if they don't.
4. If you held a position in which it is likely you knew what was going on, and were put on leave because of it, don't worry, you can: a) say you knew nothing about the problem; b) say you were only following orders (so that makes it OK); and c) wait around a little while and you'll be hired back.
It's no wonder there appears to be a lack of respect and distrust of adults by children today. With these fine ``lessons'' being taught by people in authority, should we expect anything different?
The one good thing in all of this is that the School Board is elected. Now I just hope the voters will remember to teach the School Board a lesson or two on Election Day.
Steve Marshall
Virginia Beach Don't punish students
When I read that one of the ideas to fund the school budget shortage is to have employees take a day of unpaid leave, I saw red. (No pun intended.) It's a sorry state of affairs when innocent personnel are asked to pay for the incompetence of others.
The day earmarked for this sacrifice is June 14, a work day for teachers. It is obvious to me that the School Board and others have no understanding of the amount of work that takes place on that day, especially in the elementary school. We have textbooks, classroom libraries and math manipulatives to inventory. Primary teachers have lots of ``stuff'' to box and put away. As a second-grade teacher, I can complete the tasks during the normal school day. This means that I'll be staying after school hours longer than usual, volunteering my time, to get the job done. So will my peers. In reality, we'll be asked to give much more than a day's pay.
In addition, I feel that I have already supplemented the school budget enough. Each year, personal funds are used to purchase items for my classroom. I don't buy chalk - unless I want colored. In August, I purchased bulletin board paper because budget woes caused the art supply orders to be delayed. I buy books such as the one called ``Eating the Pyramid'' to supplement a health unit in the text. It adds up. My peers are also spending personal funds. We do it because we're dedicated and we want the best for our children. Asking us to give a day's pay is an abomination.
Finally, I have a comment concerning the remark that W.W. Harrison Jr. made about speaking for his wife, who is a guidance counselor. He was certain that she would volunteer to give up a day's pay to help bail out the district. I'm thankful that my husband has the courtesy and wisdom to let me speak for myself.
Cindy Merrill
Virginia Beach Let's play blame game on school system's debt
As a parent of two high school students in the Virginia Beach school system, I am appalled at the latest articles for budget cuts. The City Council blames the School Board, the School Board blames the City Council for the financial problems. I am not positive who is at fault, but I am sure of who it is not.
The students and teachers are not responsible for this crisis and it is time they stop being the ones that are targeted to suffer the cuts. Start by cutting some upper administration salaries and work hours. Look at some of the fringe benefits that can be cut and not programs that benefit our children. Our students did not put us in this situation and should not have to suffer because of incompetence.
Sheila Young
Virginia Beach Council deserves blame
As a Virginia Beach school teacher, parent and citizen, I have been keeping up daily with the recent school systems' budget concerns.
In a Feb. 8 article, certain City Council members stated that they did not have the money nor the desire to help the schools out. One member even went so far as to say that this was, ``Their problem'' to deal with. My problem is whatever happened to ``WE?'' Doesn't the City Council care about the Virginia Beach schools?
I am not upset with the School Board. They are doing all they can to come up with spending cuts! I put most of the blame on the City Council. Why should they care when many send their kids to private school?
I urge the City Council members to show that they care about what is happening in the schools. Why not give the school system back some of the millions that they returned to them all those years before the ``Faucette joke?''
Jaudon C. Felch
Virginia Beach
School Board misguided
I read, with disbelief, the Feb. 8 article regarding the on-going school budget saga. Not only is the city faced with a $12 million shortfall, but our School Board members have now reinstated one of the persons who has been at the center of the crisis. How brilliant! I'd say Susan Creamer's decision to distance herself from the fiasco was intelligent and timely.
Additionally, the School Board has levied an even worse blow in the submission of proposed cuts to re-coup this financial deficit.
State Sen. Ed Shrock's proposed bill to strip the board's budget powers has my vote. The board should be forced to consolidate all the financial, accounting, payroll and purchasing departments with the city or be forced out of office.
Mary P. Kauffman
Virginia Beach by CNB