Letters

Letter: School district has no more fat to be trimmed

 

 

 
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
To the Editor:

The community does not see how much has been cut already in our schools. Teaching at Thomas Worthington High School, I do.

Last year ,I was told that a critical piece of equipment could not be fixed until the new fiscal year because the maintenance department was out of money. I have never, in my 23 years of teaching, been told that the maintenance department was out of funds. This is just one example of how close to the edge of collapse we are operating these days.

Over the last five years, I have seen class sizes grow, teacher responsibilities increase as they take over previously paid positions, and the infrastructure of secretaries and other support staff decrease. Secretaries, nurses, teachers and administrators in the school are harried as we try to maintain excellence under very different conditions; less time, less support and a critical lack of money.

It is hard to imagine Worthington schools without the course offerings and co-curricular experiences that make this an outstanding district. I believe the consequences of this levy failing are far reaching and irreversible. There is no fat to be trimmed, no extra burden that a teacher can bear and no place we can cut the budget without directly impacting our students. Too much has been cut already.

I love Worthington schools. I hate watching them fall apart. We must start to invest in the schools again before it is too late.

Melinda Rosenberg

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Letters

Letter: Kids' quality education shows Worthington schools are worth it

 

 

 
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
To the Editor:

I write as a parent of two Worthington alums, both of whom went to Wilson Hill, KMS and TWHS, K-12.

Both my children are in college now, at Ohio Wesleyan and Purdue. Both of them have felt well prepared for the academic work of higher education.

They were also well prepared for life beyond the home. In Worthington, extracurricular activities extended and enhanced what they were learning in the classroom. Opportunities to work collaboratively with peers and caring coaches and advisors provided invaluable life lessons. My children also saw parents and community members willing to work hard and work together to augment the base level of support the school district was able to provide.

I support Issue 49 as a homeowner whose children are grown. I recognize the high value my children received and we all continue to receive as a community from our Worthington schools.

Rebecca Princehorn
 

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Letters

Letter: Freezing step increases would be bad policy

 

 

 
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
To the Editor:

Neither "my way or the highway" nor being unaware of the legitimate concerns and needs of the fellow on the other side of the table are useful negotiating techniques. Yet, these are the attitudes taken by both board member Marc Schare and Mr. Herrington of Educate Worthington.

When they ask and insist on a freeze on teachers' salary step increases, they are at best naive, or don't understand that asking an organization to discriminate against half of its members is unrealistic. Because of the long time that most Worthington teachers have worked in the district, a step increase freeze would not affect all teachers equally, but only that youngest half of the staff that is eligible for the significant step increases.

This is neither fair nor good human resources policy. Although I would have preferred that the base salary freeze proposed by the WEA and rejected by both Schare and Herrington be effective immediately, the proposal affects all teachers equally and can be reversed if conditions change. On the other hand, a freeze in the step increases would have a greater lifelong effect and could not be easily reversed should the circumstances warrant it.

With its offer of a freeze in base raises, the Worthington Education Association has shown some sensitivity to the immediate needs and desires of the community. However, it should also consider what actions and attitudes it should embrace long-term in view of the changing demographics of the district and Ohio's overall -- in my view, precarious -- economic condition.

If a change in the step increase grid is found to be useful for the economic well being of the district, the appropriate time to do this is at negotiation time. The competitive environment for excellent teachers would have to be kept in mind as well as a phase-in period, affecting only new hires, so as not to disrupt the quality of the present staff.

There is a thought out there that there is a glut of teachers. However, young and experienced Worthington teachers of the caliber that has helped the district get the designation of "excellent with distinction" can be expected to find jobs in several equally good and growing districts around Central Ohio.

Abramo Ottolenghi

 

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Letters

Letter: District gives great education and is worth levy investment

 

 

 
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
To the Editor:

We are writing in favor of Issue 49, the school levy that voters will see on Nov. 3.

We are retired parents of two daughters and grandparents to seven. We moved to Worthington over 30 years ago for the schools, and we stay here for at least two reasons, even though we have no children in the school system.

Why? Because, first, the value of residential real estate is based in a large part on the school system. The fact that the Worthington system has been rated as "excellent with distinction" is beneficial for home values. The rating, by the way, didn't happen by accident, but was a result of hardworking, dedicated and well-trained teachers and staff.

The second reason is a matter of financial stewardship. The administration has demonstrated its exemplary stewardship, cutting expenses several times in the last years and personally sacrificing their own compensation. Teachers and staff have demonstrated their commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Of course, the real reason we support this levy is because of the students; after all, our two daughters received their education from the Worthington schools. At the same time, we realize that for some, that doesn't seem to be enough.

Mercedes and Jerry Katz
 

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Letters

Letter: Quality of education is at risk if Issue 49 fails

 

 

 
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
To the Editor:

I am a proud parent of three teenage sons who attend the great schools of the Worthington City School District.

We are proud of our "excellent with distinction" rating in the state of Ohio. My husband and I serve numerous areas of academics and sports functions in our school district. My husband has been on the boards of Worthington Youth Booster for the last 10 years.

We have impacted hundreds of young lives through the years; we planted seeds and watched them grow as individuals and as a family. We truly love this awesome town and the quality of life it has provided for my family.

I'm concerned! The quality of education is at risk. The cuts that must be made if Issue 49 should fail are not administrative threats. Rather, they are necessary reductions that simply must happen.

We need to keep getting proven, excellent results in the Worthington schools. We offer quality programs for students that prepare them for the future. Good schools are good for our community. It is why people choose to live in the district and why businesses choose to locate here.

Worthington schools have been, and will continue to be, fiscally responsible. The district is committed to making continued cost reductions. The administrators have voluntarily given back their raises this year, and teachers have agreed to take a freeze in their base pay for the 2011-12 school year. The district has already reduced the budget by $11 million and 40 positions.

No one like to pay extra dollars out of pocket, We would prefer not to pay additional tax money during this sluggish economy. However, we perceive a "yes" vote on Issue 49 to be an investment in the community we love and a place we call home.

Tri Cameron

 

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