The More Things Don't Change...

Lead, follow or get out of the way.

I have more respect for public officials with whom I disagree who vote their convictions, than those who publicly talk one way, then vote another.

Last night, the Little Rock School Board voted 7-0 to approve a 1.5% pay increase for teachers and most other district employees, increasing the disparity between starting and veteran teachers. Little Rock currently ranks 78th in Arkansas in starting teacher salaries, while the experienced teacher schedule is in the top ten in all categories.

For the record, I believe Little Rock should be number one in all categories and setting our sights on national rankings, but only if in in pursuit of one of the six target areas of the strategic plan - "recruitment and retention of a high quality staff."

Board Vice President Jody Carreiro (Zone 5) was quoted in this morning's (2.25.11) Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by Cynthia Howell:

"...I want to express my disappointment with our negotiators on our side. This board has a voted-on strategic plan that very clearly states that one of our objectives is to get the starting salary up. From everything I can tell, our negotiators did not put forth our stated goal."

Then he voted for it.

If the district's negotiators "did not put forth our [the board's] stated goal," they should be fired. If the board did not give the negotiators their stated goal, its members should accept responsibility and explain why they didn't.

Again, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Board President Melanie Fox (Zone 3) said,

"We cannot, until the [2009-12 teacher] contract is up, totally change the salary schedule, but we've got to start moving in that direction."

Then she voted for it.

Board Secretary Michael Nellums (Zone 2) was reported to have issued a "public chiding," and said he hoped that in the future a plan would be developed for getting the district to the salary goal "and not have these bits and pieces tossed at us along the way."

Then he voted for it.

At least Cathy Koehler, president of the Little Rock Education Association, was consistent, saying after the meeing that she thought the $40,000 salary was an "admirable goal." But, "I don't want to do it in a way that experienced teachers will feel that they aren't valued or that puts them on hold."

Who shouldn't feel valued today are the students who will continue to suffer from Little Rock's continued commitment to being non-competitive in the recruitment of, not only the best and brightest in Arkansas, but world-class talent from across the country. 

The LREA's clients are the existing teachers of the district, not the unrepresented prospects the district needs to recruit.

While a percentage increase is best for existing teachers, continuing to widen the gap between new and experienced teachers is not student-centered.

You can bet the LREA negotiators knew their client's stated goal.

For every day and every decision the Little Rock school board defers its leadership responsibilities - blaming negotiators, waiting for a new superintendent, waiting for implementation of the strategic plan, waiting for parents to come back to the district - more students fall behind, increasing their chances of failure, not only in school, but in life.

If a child cannot read at grade-level by the time he/she leaves third grade, the chances of ever catching up are remote at best. Rome is burning, and board's continued fiddling is inexplicable and, in my opinion, patently immoral.