Ne-SHAME-iny

**DISCLAIMER: In today's society you need to state the obvious...my opinions, viewpoints and comments are my own.  They do not reflect the opinions of anyone other than myself.  If you disagree with any of the following then I welcome your respectful, intelligent and constructive feedback.**

Neshaminy School Board, how you disappoint me.  Let me count the ways!

1. CHILDISH BEHAVIOR: Then again that's an insult to children so I'll re-phrase - Stop your whining, complaining, crossing of your arms and stomping of your feet and general malcontent.  Grow up and perform the job you were elected to do without the "they started it" or "well, because I said so" responses.
2. DEFLECTION:  Stop changing the subject.  We're talking about the jobs of your valued employees not mere pawns in your struggle to balance a budget.  Deal with the issues at hand and do so with grace, respect, dignity and complete honesty.
3. SHOW, DON'T TELL:  Stop running to the press with every new development, or lack thereof.  Because most of the "developments" are examples of your own stalling tactics.  Halt the inclination to seek acceptance from the general public, aka taxpayers.  If you focus instead on the task at hand then your actions will speak for themselves. Case in point, the recent suggestion that the negotitations be videotaped because the NFT's methods are "toxic".  That may be the case but instead of reporting so to the press why not address the situation, figure out how you can improve upon it, and enact change.
4. FOLLOWING:  Stop re-acting.  A leader is someone who steps up in a time of need.  An individual or group who seeks to unite not divide.  Someone who can look at a situation, evaluate what's working and what needs improvement, communicate solutions and do it all without anger, hatred or bias.
5. JOB PERFORMANCE:  Do the job you were elected to do and do it well.  If you are unable to give ample amounts of your time, dedication and passion then step aside and let someone else fill that void.  We all have multiple labels we live by; parents, children, volunteers, employees and bosses. I applaud your initiative in wanting to represent the Neshaminy School District but if you are unable to give it the time and attention it's due then you are not only doing a disservice to yourself but to us all.

We are all members of the Neshaminy community.  So instead of lashing out at one another we need to seek a resolution now!  One that's fair and built on equality, respect and value.

When parents, taxpayers and the school board unite in opposition to the educators within their district they are instigating discord.  They are teaching the children that it's acceptable to treat professional as inferiors, without the right to be valued both financially and publicly for the work they do.  I typically do not find merit in comparing the salaries of others but if you find it acceptable to pay a professional athlete, actor or musician a boatload of money yet have issues with paying teachers a fair salary I recommend re-evaluating your position. Is the response based on their job performance or how the result impacts you in the short term?

If any employer treated me with as much disrespect as the Neshaminy School Board has done to the teachers in their district you'd better believe I'd be standing up for myself and for the rights of my fellow co-workers!  I applaud the teachers in the Neshaminy School District, whether they are actively participating in the union or struggling to figure out where they stand.  The work you do matters.  At least it matters to me!

All the best,
Kelly