As The Columbian reported, teachers in La Center are poised to strike — a near unanimous decision, voted 75-1 (“La Center teachers approve strike, 75-1,” The Columbian, Aug. 20).
As a former teacher at La Center for 20 years, I know well how loyal and hardworking La Center teachers can be. Like teachers everywhere they often buy their own classroom supplies, work to get ready for the school year unpaid, and support struggling students before and after school.
We trust teachers with the education — and by extension the future — of our children, and yet the only way for them to claim fair pay for their years of continuing education and expertise is by striking. If the school year does not start on time, it will not be the fault of striking teachers but of a school board, superintendent, and their hired negotiator, who are more intent on maintaining a $1.8 million contingency fund than they are on listening to parents and investing in their most important asset: teachers.
I stand with La Center teachers.
