Re “Ex-Teacher to Mielke: ‘Honest You Are Not’”
[Editor’s Note: Mr. Mielke is President of the Teachers Union.]
I would like to respond briefly to Meri Morneau's Tuesday post.
She is exactly right. On May 24, I wrote a note to teachers indicating that the Culver City Unified School District was expanding its administration.
Upon learning that the new position did not increase the total number of District Office employees, I explained in my next communication that “while it is a position that we've never had before, the number of supervisory employees in that department is remaining the same.”
I'm not sure why Ms. Morneau wants to ask me whether i was “lying” in that first note or why she feels the need to tell me to “be honest for a change.”
These are harsh words.
If she would like me to say it again, I will: I was wrong in that May 24 message to teachers. I made the correction in my following update.
Now, Ms. Morneau, since you asked me to respond to your post and I have, I would like to ask you a few questions —and I'll do so without insulting you.
• Is it okay with you that we are seeing deep cuts at all the school sites but have eliminated just one administrator from the District Office?
• Is it okay with you that students at Culver City Middle School may not have access to elective courses next year such as Choir, French, Spanish and Music?
• Is it okay with you that we may not have a librarian at each elementary school?
• Is it okay with you that class sizes will probably increase next year? ( As of today, I have 41 desks in my classroom at Culver City High School.)
• Is it okay with you that teachers serving multiple school sites on a daily basis receive mileage allowances ranging from $10 to $25 per month, while top District administrators receive mileage allowances ranging from $250 to $900 per month?
• Is it okay with you that we are cutting music and athletics while maintaining these perks for employees already earning six-figure salaries?
Where do you think we should make most of the cuts: At the school sites or at the District Office?
Community members are certainly free to insult each other.
There's no law that says you can't call someone a liar.
But let's keep our eyes on the prize, here.
Culver City schools are facing our worst financial crisis ever. More cuts are going to be needed.
As a community, we're going to need to work together to find ways to make these cuts while minimizing the effects on our kids. I'm hoping more parents and community activists will weigh in with their ideas.
But here's a suggestion: Let's have this discussion about our school district's priorities without personal attacks. As my dad once said to me, “It's ok to be tough on the issues, but remember to be gentle with the people.”
Mr. Mielke may be contacted at david.mielke@ccusd.org
