These are just a few comments from retired homeowners on the current Kent teachers’ strike. In reading both sides’ statements, it seems the teachers union – not the individual teachers – is the problem.
First, we wonder why the contract does not end on June 30, instead of in August? Then negotiating could begin, and hopefully, done when kids start school with no family interruptions. The current date is obviously to hold the district hostage.
We agree with the teachers issues of lower class size, less meetings, and lower administrative salaries.
The union says “it’s not about teachers pay” – it is always about that. If there is one child over the 29 limit, the union wants $10/day to the teacher for each student over 29 in the class; how is $10 in the teachers’ wallet helping that extra child?
We say use that proposed 3 percent and 1 percent pay raise (since it’s not about money) to hire teacher assistants, or school buses to transfer new students to the nearest school/class that is not full.
In reading the KSD side, the both sides reached 16 tentative agreements, and KEA has not agreed to any of the proposals. In this economy, there should be give/take with reasonable proposals. If the money is not in the budget, it can’t be spent. The picture and statement of the union president in the last Kent Reporter suggests inflexibility, a big “line in the sand,” and even suggests “acts of civil disobedience”.
We know most all teachers are fine people, and care about their students, but with the teachers union stirring things up, a solution will not come easy.
As a side issue, look at all the housing going up around us. With that comes children, and they must go to school.
About one-third of our property taxes go to local school support, so we agree with the strike being illegal.
Richard Schurk
Kent
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