Support GRPS Teachers!

My kids are in Grand Rapids Public Schools, and I want then to have the best education available. And that means starting with providing job security for their teachers.

But apparently the school board disagrees. They seem to be refusing to negotiate in good faith with the teachers who have begun this year without a contract.

According to the union, the school district is not being forthright about how much money it has to pay the teachers and is simply driving a hard bargain.

What is the point of that? Pay the teachers, give them a good contract. Don't jeopardize this school year or my kids' education with this nonsense.

So I just wrote this letter to Superintendent Taylor:

Dear Superintendent Taylor,

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our kids, including my own who just started at [blank--I inserted the name of the school here].

I read recently about the efforts of the teachers to win a contract that includes some pay raises. I just want to let you know that I support them and hope that you will make every effort to come to terms with them on this. I do not believe taking a hard line on this issue is worthwhile.

I want my kids to be in school every day this year, but I am also willing to stand with the teachers in the event they decide to take action.

Respectfully,