Replies

"Maybe give it to them on condition the shut down their unions and end ties with NEA. Hence forth, they are simply citizens employed at the pleasure of the school district."
I understand your sentiments and I do not agree with all of the teachers demands. However, I work here and I know what conditions Oklahoma's schools are in. The class sizes are out of control. Some classes cannot seat all of the assigned students if everyone shows up. A large percentage of "teachers" in the class room are emergency certified and Teach For America progressive liberals who are not prepared for what they are asked to do. Why so many emergency certified or TFA teachers? Because any teacher with experience can go to Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, or Missouri and make a lot more with less headaches. Also, it dose not look good when you tell teachers it is not in the budget to fund schools and yet the legislature votes themselves a raise. Furthermore, it is not as much about a raise as it is that for the past four years the legislature has drastically reduced the state school budget. And yes, I would love to get rid of the NEA but we are simply at will employees already. Oklahoma is a right to work state. So, while I do agree with some of the ideas presented by posters here, it is not as straight forward a situation as you believe. Also, if anyone thinks teachers just work 40 hours a week and nine months a year I encourage you to apply and help this lazy conservative constitutionalist to change things. Having more conservatives in the classroom is the answer to taking back our schools. Heck, I would love to privatize the entire system. ---Let the flaming begin!