Editorial<br><br>Commitment, dedication and loyalty should be respected<br>
During the past few years, several individuals who work within the school district have contacted the News office in reference to unfair treatment. Others have called in to report decisions that have been made by administrators that the employees did not understand. In many cases, callers have indicated that these decisions could be detrimental to the education of our children. Since the majority of these issues deal with personnel, it would be illegal for school officials to provide comments to the News. Employees that have expressed concerns about the school district fear retribution if their identity should be publicly revealed. We understand.
After attending the May 12 regular meeting of the WUSD Board, it was apparent that morale within our schools has become an issue. During that meeting, board members approved a small salary increase for district educators along with contracts for the 2004-2005 academic year. The small salary increase was funded from the state and is compensation for an extra state-mandated day that has been added to the academic calendar. The salary increases range from approximately $138-$238 annually. The contracts for certified staff includes 182 days. An additional two days was added by the district for mandatory professional training. During those two days, it was proposed that staff be paid at an hourly rate of $20, which is well below what some certified staff members make under their contracts.
This is unfair. A first year educator earns approximately $17 per hour. The teachers making more than $20 per hour under their contracts have the ability to do so because of their longevity within the district. The teachers that have worked for this district 10, 20 and even 30 years, have all chosen to remain in Williams. The majority of them live here. They have purchased homes here. They have or are currently raising children here. They care about Williams. To pay seasoned professionals the same as a rookie is not right — even if it is only for two days. This is not how anyone who has demonstrated commitment, loyalty and dedication to a school district should be treated.
WUSD Board member David Nenne fully supported the teachers that night. Nenne said paying an hourly rate lower than contract per diem would be wrong. He said it would be the same as if his employer purchased a new machine that no one knew how to use and expected employees to come in on a day off for training — at a drastically reduced rate of pay. Even when other board members either did not say anything or maintained there were no monies available to pay on a contract per diem rate, Nenne steadfastly pushed the envelope and did not change his stance.
Finally, it was agreed to approve that the rate of pay for professional development activities and other extended tutoring assignments for certified staff to be increased from $17.50 per hour to $20 hourly. The board approved contracts for both certified and classified staff and agreed that if more funds are discovered to pay certified staff a contract per diem rate for the two additional days, an addendum will be added to the certified contracts.
That board meeting failed to boost morale. If morale amongst the WUSD staff does not improve and continues to waver, this will surely be passed down to our children. Low morale equals less productivity. Our children will begin to feel the defeat expressed by their mentors — our teachers. The school climate ultimately will be felt throughout the community. Next year when the Arizona Department of Education hands out labels, the Williams Elementary-Middle School will be under fire due to previously being labeled as “under-performing.” We cannot allow our climate to plunge the WEMS and our students to “failing.” Let’s be proactive by supporting those who form our children’s futures.
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