Value the teachers
"Teachers value us." My daughter made this comment as we were discussing Spirit Week at Edward Little High School a few weeks ago. I had asked her why her teachers were continuing to work extra hours without a contract.
A few Saturdays ago, a teacher, accompanied by two students, took a weekend day to shop for decorations for Spirit Week, and then on Monday, students and teachers alike spent hours after the end of the school day decorating their hallways, until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. Fun times such as those are the mold that create friendships and memories. Even when teachers have an expired contract, they continue to give more than they need to. Has it become expected?
Working without a contract creates a hardship for teachers. I am particularly concerned that teachers are being asked to give up spousal health care coverage in order to have their contract resolved, creating hardship for Auburn teachers with families.
I wish that Tom Morrill and the Auburn School Committee would value teachers to the same degree that teachers value students.
Carmen Dufresne, Auburn
cranky yankee says
The Auburn school committee has, in their latest contract offer, proposed a pay increase for of $3500 and dropping spousal coverage, their argument being that spouses offer no service to the district. I counter that we make it possible for our spouses to spend as much as 12 hours per day working on behalf of the school distrcit, weekends included. If we lose the spousal coverage, for me to replace that coverage is going to cost me over $10,000 per year, which results in a net loss of at least $6500 dollars of family income. Further, to make up that loss, my spouse will no longer be able to work the extra hours that are routinely put in, because we now will both have to take on second jobs in order to meet this added expense. To me, the Auburn school committee is being penny wise and pound foolish.