Unions top barrier to school reforms

You’re right, the commitment is key to educational reform (Our View, Nov. 15), but you’re not putting enough emphasis on the importance of management in maintaining that commitment. For commitment to work, the management of our schools — i.e., the school boards and superintendents — need to make the commitment stick.

Sadly, there’s little evidence that this will happen because the teachers unions who control many school boards have steadfastly opposed changes that could weaken their influence. Reform, along with any effort to control costs, will be opposed by the unions and the politicians who enjoy their support.

It’s not the silver-bullet solution that will block reform, it’s the union-imposed gridlock on the management of our schools.

Willard Bishop

Barrington Hills