Taxpayers should demand better

Taxpayers should demand better

I was disheartened to read that the Youngstown City School District is not receiving “Race to the Top” funding. I was not surprised by the reason.

Over the past two decades it has been clearly proven that the Youngstown school system is an employment agency serving the YEA. That became evident long ago at public informational meetings during a YEA strike. Longtime board of education members were acting like cheerleaders and just kept responding that if we care about education we would support the union.

I did my own research and with much difficulty finally did get a copy of the YEA contract, which should be readily available to any city taxpayer. After reading through it, though, I completely understood why it was so guarded and protected. The secret as to where our tax dollars go is explained very clearly between the blue covers of that document. I was labeled a “trouble maker” when I asked questions regarding the contract at board meetings and public forums during the elections.

My son attended the city schools during the ’90s and I became very involved in parent organizations, not only at our school but at many schools throughout the city. I also sat on many committees at the board of education including the Superintendents Parents Advisory Council under four superintendents and on the Strategic Planning Committee. So many wonderful ideas were tabled and never made it to the drawing board because, “the teachers’ contract won’t allow it.”

I am disappointed that your newspaper is surprised at the most recent proverbial thumbing of the nose posture taken by the YEA. Unfortunately, we are the least productive school system in the state and the state commission has again allowed the YEA to control the system.

In my opinion, the refusal of the YEA to sign the memorandum of understanding has doomed the system to failure because so much future funding for education will be tied to this funding stream.

I truly hope that the voting citizens in the city of Youngstown will start paying attention to what is really happening in our school buildings and stop listening to the sweet double talk about supporting education. Start by demanding a successful education system.

Veronica Foster, Yougnstown