I am a taxpayer in the Levittown School District and a teacher in the Island Trees School District so I understand the difficulties that the Board of Education faces when it has to prepare a budget that will be acceptable to the community.
Tuesday night I went to the Island Trees School Board meeting in support of my colleagues who have been excessed. I stood and applauded when my fellow teachers spoke on their behalf.
The Island Trees community, the teachers, the parents and the taxpayers are doing a superb job. Tuesday night many people addressed the superintendent and the board but it was the students whose voices took over the meeting. They stood and spoke eloquently on behalf of the teaching staff members who have been excessed. They conducted themselves with poise and grace. Their words were powerful enough to silence the community skeptics who usually rise to question and criticize the board. They showed with their words and actions that Island Trees School District is doing a great job today. They reminded the board that they need a staff more than a new turf field or Promethcan Boards.
When the students were done I was proud to say that I am part of the system that educated these fine young people. Besides those who stood at the microphone, there were many students, who sat and stood in the room to support their teachers. They conducted themselves with maturity throughout the meeting. In these days of text messaging and disconnected people what these students ask for were more people in their lives, good people, caring people; teachers!
I think that taxpayers should listen to the children and do what they must to restore the staff members who are being excessed. The taxpayers are getting a fine return on their investment. The proof of that is in the young people we saw Tuesday night. They are the future.
Patricia Roaldsen
