Teachers did not refuse to negotiate
Editor's note: This letter was received April 5, before the April 7 election.
As the CTC president, I would like to respond to Kimberly Pohl's April 3 article.
As mentioned, the CTC is not endorsing any candidate with our ultimate goal being improved relations with the board of education, no matter who is elected.
Hampering this process is the decision among some to treat teachers as if we are a hated enemy as opposed to individuals dedicated to the education and welfare of their community's children.
The CTC has never been approached by the board to begin contract negotiations as was stated. In fact, we were given a clear-cut timeline for the negotiations process by the superintendent to which we agreed.
Unfortunately, the teachers were deliberately and falsely accused of refusing to negotiate. This accusation comes before an important election and begins the process of once again unfairly and inaccurately painting educators as uncaring and unreasonable -- a strategy repeatedly used by some during the last round of negotiations.
I would like to remind those people of an important truth. No one becomes a teacher for the money. Plain and simple, people become teachers because they wish to help children.
It is not difficult to demonize teachers. We are easy targets as the very characteristics that make us answer the call to service make us reluctant to respond in kind to venomous comments. We would rather our time, energy and resources be directed where they should be - to the children of this community.
On behalf of the teachers of District 15, I would like to wish all the candidates the best of luck in the coming election.
While I recognize that we sit on opposite sides of the table, I hope our future relationship is characterized by mutual respect, cooperation and truth.
Lisa Nuss, president
Classroom Teachers Council