What happened yesterday at Mark Johnson’s press conference to introduce ClassWallet and grant the “ability” for teachers to “spend” $400 each on supplies for the classroom should have made every school board, LEA, and superintendent who worries over local school system budgets cringe a little more.
What Johnson and his controllers proposed was allowing almost 80% of the supplies budget that usually goes to districts to be spent by individual teachers. It took local control away under the guise of “empowering” individual teachers. And before Johnson wants to declare that transparency is key, then maybe he could explain how he got all of those iPads.
While his “supply” initiative might have a shiny, glossy veneer, every LEA in this state worried on a constant basis of how to finance the local school system. And what this NCGA has been doing is passing off the financial burdens more and more onto local school systems.
Think class size chaos. Think of the municipal charter school bill. And consider the fact that local supplements mean so much to LEA’s being able to recruit and keep teachers.
Local supplements come from the local school system. The state just uses the figures to make the average salary of teachers in NC look more impressive for spinning purposes.
Here are the five core issues as dictated by NCAE that are specifically being focused upon for the May 1st event. And each one of these issues directly affects how well local school systems can be of maximum benefit to their communities.
And it would be hard for every LEA to say they did not want veteran teachers.
When teachers go to march like they did last May and will do this May, they go on behalf of students, schools, other educators, communities, and for those who help lead our school systems.
That means in a very direct way teachers march for school boards, superintendents, and local officials.
Because the NCGA is not treating local systems the way they should.
I am still telling you that your Wish List will not be forth coming until you get Tough with this NC Legislature. That means going out on a limb. Until Teachers stand up to this Legislature by refusing to work until the Teachers demands are met! Teachers will continue to receive the crumbs the Legislature gives them. The NC Legislature is betting you will not stand up to them. Chuck Edwards and Chuck McGrady make more money than you can ever imagine. I am on your side. Don’t think for a minute that your benefits and salaries are not a Political Issue. You must tell Teachers how to vote as Group. Teachers vote against themselves when they Vote Republican. Patricia Sheley
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