FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! THE SURVIVAL OF OUR SCHOOLS DEPENDS ON IT
SCHOOL DISTRICT 38, MONUMENT, COLORADO, SHOULD BECOME THE MODEL FOR THE NATION
April 13, 2022
From the United States Justice Department: Citing an increase in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school board members, teachers and workers in our nation’s public schools, today Attorney General Merrick B. Garland directed the FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to meet in the next 30 days with federal, state, Tribal, territorial and local law enforcement leaders to discuss strategies for addressing this disturbing trend. These sessions will open dedicated lines of communication for threat reporting, assessment and response by law enforcement.
Attorney General Garland will be pleased to know an FBI investigation will not be warranted for School District 38 (D38), Monument, Colorado. Last evening the district held an Engage and Elevate Community Forum hosted by the superintendent of schools, Dr. Kenneth Somers. The standing room only audience consisted of administrators, teachers, parents, students and community members. No hateful words spewed forth. No police in sight. All attending realized the importance of the civility of their voice. American education is in dire straits. Strategic plans are paramount in thwarting the plight of teacher shortage which our children face by next August.
This crowd of uncommon mindsets came together on behalf of the students and teachers of this district. In the span of a 90+ minute meeting, engaging conversation paved the way for better understanding of not only the above strategic plan but how to compensate poorly paid staff. To say it was refreshing cannot clearly describe my experience. As a teacher of over four decades, I’ve attended meetings such as these where everyone talked but seldom did they listen. Administrators clearly projected, through their body language, they would rather be home. Teachers seldom attended, only because they knew nothing would change from their input. And parents had all but given up. My negative opinion of attending previous “pointless meetings” in my career changed last evening. As a community member of D38, I was enlightened and encouraged by the passion exhibited. Administrators, school board members, parents and the community are determined to fight the good fight for the district’s children.
The media would have us believe cordial gatherings of people, concerned over the spiraling downfall of American education, is no longer possible. A Virginia school district in Loudoun County has many of us convinced our schools are doomed, teachers are bent on destroying children, and parents are incapable of civil language. Perhaps if this Loudoun County school district had been proactive, the turmoil and negative national spotlight could have been avoided. The District 38 meeting I attended should become the national model for fixing the many issues facing American education. Last night, we were all on the same side, as we should be, when looking at the systemic problems facing our children’s educational future. The word “failure” cannot be allowed in any conversations regarding our schools. The genesis of today’s educational issues is retaining and attracting excellent teachers.
What is the pressing issue in School District 38 of Monument, Colorado? According to superintendent Dr. KC Somers, our teachers are significantly underpaid. In a recent OpEd (The Tribune, March 8, 2022), Dr. Somers wrote: D38 recently retained a professional consultant who conducted an external market salary study. The results of this analysis were shared at the Board of Education work session on March 1. In short, all D38 staff members are on average 10% below market pay compared to 10 other peer districts across our region. With this latest information, we seek to utilize every available platform to engage our community in critical conversations about the future state of D38.
No mathematician needed here! With inflation at a 40 year high of 8.5%, the teachers in our district may actually lose money if they continue teaching. Read that again. Many educators embrace teaching as a calling, but at what expense? A local realtor reminded me when the district loses excellent teachers, which negatively impacts the quality of education, not only does the school fail but property owners in the district will see the values of their homes fall. The retired tax payers of our district can no longer bury their heads in the sand under the guise of “it’s not my problem.” I was one of those folk. Not any more.
If you think D38 in Monument, Colorado plays no significance on the national scene. Think again. Here is a link to an article by the Washington Post: These schools did less to contain covid. Their students did better. I would like to think my experience of teaching 46 years in three states, 15 schools, 23 classrooms, 17 grade levels and educating well over 6000 students would provide me with a rubric for judging schools and their administrations. In my opinion, this district scores in the 95 percentile. The only flaw I see is the inability of their constituents, like the old me, to vote a bond issue for better teacher salaries.
My last blog/podcast teased my proposed Golden Rule Project as the subject of today’s thoughts. I will postpone that talk until next time. However I find this very enlightening: The District 38 Palmer Ridge High School mascot is the bear. So Bear Time at this D38 high school is implementing an advisory period for students to focus on mental health and coursework. This could positively change the environment for all students, similar to my proposed Golden Rule Project. During this advisory time, what if students were with the same teacher all four years? What if that teacher could be a conduit for a deeper, personal relationship with those students? What if we could find the missing puzzle piece to help our students function post Covid, in a not so friendly world?
TUNE IN SOON. Here’s a tease: More on The Golden Rule Project.
PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK WITH ANY AND ALL . Read more of my thoughts at: rescuetheteacher.com. If you’re experiencing unfair practices in your teaching position, please reach out to me at rescuetheteacher @yahoo.com! Here is even a better idea: propose a book study of Rescue the Teacher, Save the Child! for your school district. I would be happy to come and lead it!