Lay off the poor performers first

I am not opposed to recently announced teacher layoffs and program cuts to balance district budgets. However, I believe they are going about it the wrong way.

Laying off first-, second- and third-year teachers without taking a look at laying off poor performing teachers sends a message that the quality of our children's education is not a priority.

It is understandable in some cases that the longer someone is in a job, their motivation, passion and innovation wanes. Many if not all of these newer teachers have that passion to teach, energy, care about the kids and are go-getters. Why not weed out the 20- or 30-year teachers who are poor performing, don't care anymore and are just hanging on until retirement so that they can collect 50 to 75 percent. of their salary for the rest of their lives? These are the teachers who should be laid off.

The problem are the unions who protect these poor performing, long serving teachers who, in some cases, are bad apples. Something has got to be done to correct this situation.

The basic premise of employment in our society of rewarding those who excel and those who are poor performers are out, is not being followed. Our children deserve the best teachers available, regardless of tenure.

Mark Palmer

Gilberts