Yesterday morning I was voted in as the new PTA President of Ligon Middle School, succeeding Vickie Adamson. Vickie leaves big shoes to fill since one parent said “that woman is everywhere.” I’m looking forward to the challenge, though, and really appreciate how I’ll be at the front lines during a difficult time in North Carolina education.
I was looking forward to my election, thinking what a happy moment it would be, but the party was quickly spoiled when Ms. Dula, the principal announced to the PTA members that one of her star teachers is leaving the classroom. I will never forget the look of dejection on her face.
It makes me furious how disrespectful and dismissive our Republican state legislature is of our public school teachers. Their shortsightedness is destroying our state’s future. These kids will grow up to one day lead our state. They will educate future generations. They will build the companies that will power our state’s economy. They will take care of us when we’re old and frail. And we’re dooming them to a mediocre education, loading them down with needless tests, and hurting ourselves in the process. Education is an investment in our future and these screwups in the General Assembly are mortgaging that future away.
We must make education a priority in our state. We’re 48th in teacher pay and even getting pay up to the national average seems an impossible goal. Hell, we should settle for no less than being in the top 30% for teacher pay. Our state leaders like to crow all the time about how North Carolina needs to become competitive with neighboring states when it comes to things like tax rates, but when we’re talking about teacher pay suddenly competitiveness doesn’t matter anymore.
It’s bullshit, plain and simple. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. I for one am looking forward to getting a few of these people out of the way with my vote and money come the next election.