Re “Now It Is My Turn to Challenge — Or Was That Just Lip Service?”
Attn. Mr. Brad Hodge,
Your letter last Friday missed the point and the facts. The last raise the School District gave out went to ALL employees, not just administrators. Last year's cost of living adjustment was negative. So if the teachers had received a COLA, they would have OWED the District money. The parcel tax is $96, not $95.
The union representative claimed that he didn't only represent the teachers but he and the union cared about the students. It’s always about the students until it comes time for the union to sacrifice. Then it is about anything except the union.
There isn't enough money. Sacrifices have to be made. The best way for the sacrifices is if they are shared equally across all employees. I heard that more than 70 percent of the District’s money goes to its employees. The only way to balance the budget is by having the employees give back.
Teachers are underpaid. Grass is green. At least teachers in Culver City still have jobs. If the employees don’t give concessions, 19 teachers won’t have jobs. If the employees don’t give concessions, more school days will be eliminated. If the union is really for the students, then the union should be the first to try to solve the problem. Instead, the union is first to point fingers.
The village line was his, not mine. The salaries given by the district are to his union members, not to me. Either the members voluntarily give us something or there will be less members as they will lose their jobs.
I put my money up. It doesn’t seem that the union is willing to do the same.
I assume that you are a teacher. Figures. You should try the real world someday.
Mr. Ferguson may be contacted at shaneferguson747@yahoo.com
