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

A Thankless Job

I am a daughter, sister and friend to those who have selected teaching as their profession of choice. I admire them. I respect them. I value them. I acquired those affections long ago; as a student in the Neshaminy School District. For fourteen years, I was immersed in education. Surrounded by educators of all different personalities, teaching styles and ages. But one thing that never changed was my appreciation and respect for them.



There was a time, not too long ago, when the education profession was viewed as valuable. The educators as hard working, dedicated individuals deserving of praise. Now, I can’t read the newspaper without someone in the community lambasting a teacher. It’s not an issue of behavior, morals, ethics or the job performance. Instead, the complaints have to do with economic strain. The strain that the school district, community, taxpayers and staff are under.


I will not deny that I am an avid supporter of teachers. And the public school system. I truly believe they are worth all they’ve been given and more. I work a 9-5 job. I don’t bring my work home with me. I don’t cut lamin on the weekends, grade papers until 9 o’clock at night or go to sports activities in support of my students. Clearly, I am very passionate about my support of the Neshaminy School District’s teachers. But one lesson that I took away from my time as a Neshaminy student was the value in communication.


In the conversations, or lack thereof, regarding teacher contract “negotiations” I’ve noticed a rather interesting omission; the student’s perspective. The issue of how working to contract or a strike will affect students is discussed fervently by those in opposition of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers’ (NFT) position. They claim the students will suffer more than anyone. I agree, but not as you may think. What’s been neglected in the conversations, editorials and venting comments is the realization that children are aware of much more then we sometimes give them credit for. Consider the following comparison…teachers and their district’s school board are the in the midst of an ugly divorce. There’s badmouthing, blame gaming, and hurt feelings being tossed around in the presence of the children. They’re being bombarded with negativity at every turn.


When teachers are demoralized, criticized or publicly humiliated do we not realize how this affects their students? What kind of lessons are we teaching when we attempt to strip away the rights of the very people entrusted with their education? In an ever changing world, students have been put in an incredibly difficult position. What’s the message we are telling them when disrespect takes center stage?


Sometime during the aging process our society, in general, has forgotten what it was like to be a student. We’re so busy being concerned about taxes, the economy, politics, parental responsibilities and on, and on. That’s understandable. Of course, your primary concern would be the well being of your family, friends and your own interests. You need to be able to provide for your family, pay for health insurance and deal with the unforeseen issues that arise as a homeowner. There’s no doubt in my mind that you may be struggling. But while you are working through your stressors, issues and conflicts please don’t forget that so are your neighbors. The next time you are inclined to lash out at the “greedy, blood-sucking teachers” why not recall your favorite teachers instead?


And what about the other point of view? How does the school board fit into this piece? My initial reaction is a negative one but that stems from my perceived opinion on their “actions” in the midst of this contract disagreement. As a student my only concern with the school board happened when their decisions impacted my educational well-being. I attended my first meeting when they threatened to cut the music program, which meant losing our music teacher, and that was a major no-no for me and many of my classmates! Other than that, I didn’t have much opinion either way on them. They were sort of like an unforeseen puppet master who pulled the strings only now and again. 


I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. To believe that they are doing their utmost in a given situation and truly working hard to resolve complex issues. In that vein, I must give the school board credit for the work they’ve already done. The recent political race showed me that very few have stepped forward to willingly be part of the school board. In that respect, it’s a thankless job. Sound familiar?


Instead of negotiating a contract through the media, hurdling insults and crossing arms like stubborn children why not show that you mean what you say? Meeting once a month, with no progression, isn’t doing any of us any good. This situation will only continue to escalate in vitriol until the NFT and the Neshaminy School Board realize that communication and respect are keys to resolving this issue. When they start meeting every week, stop the mud-slinging and lead by example then hopefully the negativity infecting our community will lessen.