When Teachers Go Out on Strike

When will this teachers’ strike in the Orange Unified School District end? When will the board recognize its error? Why are they just now attempting to settle wages, when the school year will be over in less than a month?

The year-round teachers of Orange Unified have been teaching since July of last year in good faith hoping for a fair settlement. So why is Orange Unified settling wages in May?

I am the parent of a second-grader who has already missed three days of school. I am also a senior at Cal State Fullerton majoring in English, hoping to teach in another two years. Unfortunately, I’m finding that in private industry, without any college education required, I could keep my present job and make more money in five years than a teacher with a master’s degree and 20 years’ experience.

Last week, the Orange Unified mailed a letter defending its position. It claims that a teacher’s salary is high enough. Well, it’s not high enough to get a sufficient number of students enrolled in teaching programs. We’re currently experiencing a baby boom, and their aren’t going to be enough qualified teachers to carry on. Raise the salaries now to get enthusiasm back in teaching.

ROE McFARLAND

Anaheim Hills