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Teachers are headed west

During the last six weeks, words have spread around town in reference to valuable Williams educators leaving the Williams Unified School District to work further west at the Ash Fork Joint Unified School District. Thus far, we know we've lost three teachers ‹ one of which had worked for the WUSD for more than 20 years ‹ and our district's nurse. Why are our veteran, valuable educators leaving our district?

Perhaps it's the fact that Ash Fork's school has the means to compensate ‹ through wages and benefits ‹ their teachers more than Williams does. Perhaps it's the fact that the AFJUD is quickly becoming the most technologically advanced in northern Arizona. A solution must be found soon before more of our educators head west.

It's no secret that the WUSD has served as a training ground for young, inexperienced teachers. This has been going on for years and will continue. Perhaps what many have forgotten is the teachers that have remained with the district for more than 20 years. Their experience and expertise is invaluable to our students.

As parents, we depend on these educators to prepare our children for college or technical schools. We depend on these educators to teach at a high level so our students can pass the AIMS test, which is now a graduation requirement. We depend on these educators to mentor our students.

Our teachers ‹ especially those that have faithfully remained within the WUSD their entire careers ‹ deserve higher compensation. Historically, the WUSD has operated on a lean budget. The WUSD ranks near at the bottom in teacher compensation in the state of Arizona. Where would the monies come from to pay our teachers more?

The solution is not up to us. It is up to the folks we elected to serve on our school board. We implore board members to find a way to make these increases possible. Teachers that are hired to replace our veteran teachers that have left will be paid at a significantly lower rate. Perhaps the monies saved by replacing veteran educators with young teachers could be distributed to our remaining educators across the board.

A solution to this dilemma must be found. Remember that Ash Fork is less than 20 miles away from Williams and is currently offering classes and technology that are unavailable here. How long before our students discover the technology that Ash Fork's schools possesses? Will our students flock to the teachers that are now in Ash Fork that they enjoyed in Williams' classrooms? When student attendance numbers decline, so does the school's budget.

We appreciate the efforts of those we elect to serve. At the same time, we ask the WUSD Board to consider these issues closely. Our school district has much to gain and even more to lose.


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