Letter to the editor: Aug. 8, 2007

Dear Editor:

My husband and I are parents of five children, three of whom have been part of the Cascade Union School District. Our kids were home-schooled up until two years ago. We never wanted our kids in a public school. However, when we heard of Meadow Lane school’s reputation, we had to go check it out. We were immediately impressed and therefore, enrolled our kids within the week.

The entire staff has always made us feel welcome. The principal, Brad Clagg, is always outside every morning to direct traffic and greet the students. You can always find him circulating about the campus. He takes part and gets involved with seeing that the students succeed. Every morning when he gives the day’s announcements, he ends them by saying, “Have a great day and remember, we believe in you!”

The teachers also believe in the students, whether or not they are personally teaching them. It doesn’t matter if the child is in their classroom; they treat each and every child the same. They push them to succeed and to enjoy succeeding.

The main purpose of this letter is to encourage the teachers to keep persevering. Unfortunately, the school board doesn’t back or support the hard work or extra effort the teachers put out. They may see it or even acknowledge it, but refuse to back it up financially.

The Cascade school district teachers are still waiting to settle their 2006-07 contract. So far, the teachers have been ignored and shown lack of respect. I encountered this attitude personally when my husband, kids and I attended the June 21 board meeting.

One teacher stood up and read a letter she had written. She really spoke from her heart and tried to help them see that the problem needs to be resolved. The letter was very respectful and gave her points well. After she read it, the board publicly chastised her for writing it.

They disagreed with it, then simply dismissed it. I also spoke from my heart to try and help them see the huge importance of our teachers. When I finished, the board simply went on to the next subject as if I weren’t even there.

We were treated rudely and disrespectfully. I also did not appreciate being deliberately ignored and not looked at by the people who are supposed to be representing the pride of our schools.

Our teachers aren’t asking for the world or even to be rich. They are just asking to be treated fairly and with respect. When the cost of living has gone up, but their salaries have stayed the same, that’s pretty sad.

The board didn’t even hold a July board meeting, they claim there wasn’t anything to discuss. Yes there was — they just didn’t want to discuss it.

This district has been literally blessed with teachers and staff who really care about their jobs. It wouldn’t hurt to show them much-earned respect by evening out their wages and benefits.

In my opinion, teachers are already underpaid. Their jobs are never done. They work after school, at home, on the weekend, on breaks and during the summer. There is no compensation for those extra hours. Yet they love doing it to see a student’s eyes light up when they’ve finally gotten a concept.

Our kids are the next generation. If we don’t mold them now, I hate to see how we’re treated when we’re old and need care ourselves. Will our grandchildren be a product or parents who could care less, or are we going to stand as a team to see our kids truly succeed?

I sure hope we can put aside all the differences and resolve this whole thing so our teachers can put their full concentration back on what they love doing — teaching.

Brian and Tracy Hudson, Anderson