[Editor’s Note: In the continuing dispute between parents of El Marino Language School and the Assn. of Classified Employees over the status of some part-time instructors, Mr. Crunk filed a letter last night at culvercitymiddleschool@yahoogroups.com, in response to a mother who vigorously defended the union and its current El Marino mission.]
Until recently, most of us lived and believed in the idyllic situation you describe. But we were very rudely and alarmingly jolted into reality by Debbie Hamme (President of the union ACE).
We were certainly dismayed, distressed and rudely shocked to find out that one of our own, Debbie Hamme, who lives and works among us, turned on the kids in this District by using her position as the leader of ACE to go after programs that benefit the kids.
The result of her actions will be, at best, a reduction in services provided to the kids in exchange for an increase in her union's membership/fees/dues. If you want to characterize me as having no shame for loudly opposing Debbie and putting the kids' interests first, front and center, so be it. I'm proud to wear the label. Frankly, and respectfully, I consider your lack of concern about what Debbie's doing to be naive and dangerous to programs throughout the District.
But that is the wonderful thing about this country. We each get to believe what we want and say what we think needs to be said. I also think two things you said need clarification/correction.
First, and most importantly, if you think this is only about El Marino adjuncts, you are gravely mistaken. That's what Debbie wants you to think. Remember, divide and conquer is a time-honored tactic. Make no mistake about it. What Debbie is doing is a threat across the board to programs serving kids at all schools.
Second, you seem to conflate the concepts of ACE, its individual members, the services ACE members provide, Debbie Hamme and Debbie Hamme acting on behalf of ACE. Right now, my problem is with what Debbie Hamme is doing on behalf of ACE. I think in that capacity she is acting selfishly in her union's interest to the detriment of our children. While I find what she has chosen to do disappointing, it's at least understandable. Just like it should also be understandable that parents will oppose what Debbie's doing, call her out on what she's doing, try to stop her and rally as the last line of defense in the interest of the kids.
Also, if you think I am in any way attacking ACE members' services, you are flat out mistaken. In fact, I have great sympathy for Debbie's and her members' difficult position – having to split an ever-decreasing pie with teachers and administrators. It's got to be very, very tough not to lose ground in that situation. But that does not excuse what she is doing now to make up for lost ground.
In fact, I think ACE would be better served if Debbie spent her time and energy building bridges to the parent organizations at the schools to rally the parents around the most pressing causes of her ACE members. A lot, if not most, of the parents opposing Debbie on this issue support unions. Some even come from union families.
Instead of turning them into instant opponents, Debbie should have nurtured them as a natural source of support for ACE. What a waste. What a missed opportunity.
So, in light of what she's doing, I think the better question is, has Debbie no shame?
Mr. Crunk may be contacted at tcrunkatty.20.tc99@oxy.net
