Teachers are on front line in the education process

Teachers are on front line
in the education process

EDITOR:

As a life long resident of Austintown, I find it to be rather appalling that our superintendent and the rest of the Board of Education seem so out of touch in regars to the exceptional teaching staff employed by the residents of Austintown. In a recent article in The Vindicator, superintendent Doug Heuer, stated: “We have some teachers who put in extra time helping students.”

The truth of the matter is that a vast majority of the Austintown teachers are ultra-committed to our students. With my three children currently enrolled, in three different buildings, I have never experienced anything but pure unadulterated commitment and dedication regardless of time of day. This, Mr. Heuer, is the norm, not the exception.

Regarding the current contract negotiations and resounding refusal of the latest administrative proposal, there have been several articles and proclamations in the media by the board stating, well honestly, nothing of substance. All too often the spin that the board is putting on the contract in question is designed to lead the general public to a conclusion that our teachers are lazy, greedy and over paid. However, where in the current line of propaganda have they spoken of the minuscule, if even existent, pay increase?

Truth of the matter is that there is another underlying agenda. The board is looking to have nonspecialty certified teachers teach specialty courses while taking away from their ability to focus on their subject matter. In other words, teachers who specialize in art, music, or gym, will be replaced by teachers normally teaching mathematics, English or science. To a fiscal conservative, this plan may seem like a good idea at face value. However, let’s look at the ramifications. Forcing nonspecialized teachers perform the extra duties would take them away and make them less accessible to the students who may need some extra help in their core curriculum courses. And it adds additional burdens on those teachers by taking away a preparatory period for the three versions of geography, two versions of algebra, four levels of English, or five versions of science they already may teach.

Bottom line is this. What affects our children? Our teachers are our front line in the education process. They do it well, and are trained in aspects of the process that most within the Board of Education are unaware. Before Mr. Heuer and Board President Michael Creatore make any additional unjust or just plain nonsensical statements, take a walk into Fitch, AMS or any school for that matter. Find a teacher, and spend a week in their shoes. I’m sure your eyes will open to the reality of education.

FRANK BETSA

Austintown

Save the Big Dipper

EDITOR:

I was disappointed to hear recent reports that the historic Big Dipper rollercoaster at Geauga Lake Park is ready to be dismantled.

The Big Dipper, built in 1925, is an important piece of history. Not only is it the oldest operating rollercoaster in Ohio, it is the 7th oldest in the U.S. and the 12th oldest on Earth.

Although relocation to another park would be better than destroying it, serious consideration should be given to keeping the Big Dipper at its current location, which is at the edge of Geauga Lake property close to Route 43. By taking steps to preserve it, Cedar Fair (which has been compared to Art Modell by many) can get the focus back to its remaining parks, like Cedar Point and Wildwater Kingdom, and away from the negative fallout from closing Geauga Lake with no advance notice.

DAVID MITCHELL

Cranberry, Pa.