Time for changes

Why do I disbelieve the national teachers unions when they tell us their opposition to Propositions 1, 2 and 3 is because it is not best for the schools or the students? What unions represent the employer or the customer? They represent only the employee.

Because the United States is No. 2 spender per pupil in the world (after Israel), but near the bottom of the developed world in terms of performance, and because Idaho is near the bottom of the U.S. in educating our kids, we need something to shake up education. Even if the propositions are not well-written, the status quo is far worse for our kids and for our future.

CHAS BONNER, Boise

Luna laws filledwith bad ideas

Prop 1: Teachers and school administrators are highly educated professionals and should be treated as such.

Schools had an excellent evaluation processs in place. “Tenure” did not make it impossible to “get rid” of poor teachers. All teachers had two (new teachers four) evaluations a year, plus available improvement plans.

Now a teacher can be fired with no reason given. It gives school boards extraordinary power. School professionals have no protection at all.

Prop 2: Merit pay? The idea that “teachers have no idea how their students are learning” (Luna) is wrong. Measuring progress on just one test is more wrong. Teachers should be involved in, and understand their evaluations. And calling it a pay raise? Teachers’ base pay two to three years ago was $31,500.

Prop 3: School districts, large and small, have worked toward technology education as fast as annual school appropriations allow.

Schools do have computers so students can take online courses. It is Wi-Fi and broadband availability that holds them back.

There are more bad ideas in these laws.

Vote no and then work together to develop fair programs that really will improve our education system.

JO IADEROSA, Parma