Teachers know what they're doing
As the onslaught against teachers and Idaho's education system continues, do not forget that the new education bill passed by the Senate Education Committee is nearly the same as SB1113. Senator Goedde, Governor Otter and Superintendent Luna are only shifting the responsibility for cuts now to local school boards.Under the tweaked SB1184 districts will have less funding for teachers salaries, class sizes will have to be increased, vacated positions will not be filled, or programs not funded by the state will have to be eliminated (elementary music and P.E., extracurricular activities, etc.). It essentially has the same ramifications as SB1113, but it is worded different so it doesn't sound as bad. This will be done all in the name of laptops and online classes.
The people of Idaho have shared their disdain for SB1113 yet it is obvious with SB1184 that our elected officials refuse to listen to their constituents. Parents, administrators, students, and teachers came in droves to speak against this so-called education reform. Every public hearing was filled with people speaking against these policy changes, yet they refused to listen. And now that the labor relations and merit pay bills have passed they think that the public will sit down and just let the new SB1184 go by without a fight. They think parents and teachers are tired of fighting against a group of elected officials who don't listen. And we are tired. We are tired of putting everything we have into our jobs and not getting an ounce of respect from our state leaders. We are tired of not being asked about what works and what doesn't work in a classroom. Teachers want to be part of the solution for reforming education, yet state leaders are shutting out parents and all the people that know what works. The Senate Education Committee heard from the school boards association, superintendents association, and the teachers association. All stakeholders said that they do not support this legislation, and 6 Senators refused to listen to them.
Senator Goedde said in an Idaho Reports PTV segment that "Teachers will teach whatever the circumstances." And this is very true. Teachers love their jobs, and will continue to teach through adverse conditions. But this quote shows how our elected officials are taking advantage of educators who love their job. They are taking advantage of a down economy when people are looking for things to cut rather than looking for ways to generate revenue. Parents and teachers; don't stop speaking out about what is happening. They are hoping that you are worn out and think that you will just curl up and let SB1184 go by. Continue the fight, stand up and tell your Legislators that these bills are not putting our children's education first. Keep getting out the message that teachers and parents do know what's best for kids. Senator Goedde, Governor Otter, and Superintendent Luna: Just ask us how we can help. We do know what we are doing.
Matt Barkley is president of the Idaho Music Educators Association and director of bands for Post Falls High School.