Teachers speak out.

  The item below is another attempt from the Trinity Area Teachers Association to right a wrong before it negatively affects our children. It certainly is our hope that the board members will listen to these educators and move us in the direction best suited for the educational purposes of our school district. When I sit to write this blog, my goal, although difficult at times, is a desire to create a perfect combination of truth, accuracy and composure. To speak freely about thoughts, events and plans of the district as I and others see them, however, that comes with the realization that we as a people must prepare for the future through the education of our children. It does not matter what feelings are about a specific teacher or administrator; it is the district as a whole that we must support and protect. We accept the fact that plumbers, carpenters, brick layers, roofers and builders are paid $25.00 to $50.00 per hour to build monumental structures, but we are less willing to pay teachers to build strong minds and successful futures. These skilled laborers are a necessity to our future, just as the children are. Let us not lose sight of that fact. These teachers and staff members have proven their concern for our children, with the desire to love and nurture them and their aspirations to assist in their educational growth. We each need to voice our opinions and emphasize our feelings to the board about the need to educate and and the desire to create future excellence through our children.


School Board Members-
  
     As taxpayers of TASD,  we are writing you to express our sincere dissatisfaction to the possible furloughing of 6 teachers while there are three very large classrooms across the elementary level.  After redistricting, which we know Mr. McWreath did not agree with, Trinity North's third grade is set to have 26 students per class and the fifth grade is set to have 27 students per class.  In addition, Trinity East's third grade will have 25 students per class and absolutely no support in reading.  We cannot understand why the school board would possibly furlough 6 teachers when there is a need in our district.  At the very least, Trinity East is in desperate need of a reading specialist for intervention purposes.  It is unfair to the families of East to be penalized for not qualifying for Title I funding.  The school board has always been concerned with "consistency" among the elementary buildings.  If those sentiments also pertain to East, then it is your responsibility as a school board director to see that a remedial reading program be provided for at Trinity East. 

     We understand the need and desire to be fiscally responsible.  That being said, some of these cuts are just too deep.  If we are understanding correctly, the district may receive up to $590,000 of cut funding back from the state.  As taxpayers of TASD, it is our hope, for the benefit of the students, that the district be willing to put back at least 4 of the above mentioned positions so as not to negatively effect the educational programs offered at TASD.  Feel free to call us if you would like to discuss any of these matters.  Thank you.
Dana and Michael Ledger
South Strabane