Here in Vancouver, schools are supposed to start tomorrow, but despite relentless hours of negotiations between Vancouver Public Schools and the teachers’ union, there has yet to be a settlement.
As a parent, an important issue has not been addressed — safety. With Kyron Horman’s 2010 disappearance from school in Portland unsolved, the unfortunate reality that teachers and staff have to go to school everyday with the overwhelming responsibility to keep students safe from unknown harm is reason enough to increase their pay. It is impossible to place a monetary value on the safety of our precious children, but that level of responsibility warrants serious consideration on class size and teacher compensation.
I hope the VPS board realizes that most parents want to continue to know our kids are safe at school because teachers feel valued and respected for the level of integrity they place on student safety as well as education.
