TEACHERS: Idaho losing good ones

During the implementing of the NASA program in the 1960s, math and science teachers in Texas, Alabama and California were recruited from public schools with salaries they could not refuse. The schools lost a generation of the best teachers. Even when bonuses were offered and cancellation of student loan debts were proffered, the math and science programs suffered. Even English teachers were recruited to write manuals for engineers. Idealistic and dedicated teachers held many of the school programs together and learned to regret those decisions when politicians reduced retirement benefits.

Arrogant elected school board members with limited education on their parts, often regarded teachers as regular low wage employees to be manipulated rather than the trained professionals they were.

Reports this past year cite the exodus of better teachers to other states from Idaho. Coeur d’Alene School Board President Hearn seems to display a similar arrogance with his statement that teachers should be happy to have “jobs” that many others do not. Whatever happened to the concept that one must achieve a higher level of education to be assured of full employment? It is to be hoped that Coeur d’Alene students do not take Hearn’s attitude to heart.

JIM FOLEY

Coeur d’Alene