Hoopla, Indeed

So - were your children among those whose bags of goodies included candy with a sticker on the back that mentioned the teachers' contract??

If not, you don't know what I'm talking about . . .

During the Swanton "Halloween Hoopla" uptown this past Saturday, some people were dropping candy into kids' bags that had a sticker.  I don't have one in front of me right now, so I can't quote it verbatim - but it was something like:  "Did you know our teachers have been working without a contract since September 1?"  

In our children's candy bags. 

I am not making this up.

Here's the kicker:  the statement on the sticker is TRUE.  That's right - the statement is true . . . as far as it goes, anyway.

The fact is that our local teachers' union (SEA) leadership is working very closely with their state union (OEA) rep who is holding off on settling several of his clients' contracts while he waits for November 8th.  He is waiting to see if Issue 2 will pass or fail.

There were contract offers made by the district through our representatives before school began and after (right up until late October), but they were all rejected.  Nope - it was more important to the OEA rep to wait to see what happens with Issue 2, and unfortunately our SEA leaders have chosen to follow his lead.

If Your child received one of these candy bars (Kit Kat, I think . . . ) with a sticker, please share your opinion of that with a teacher or two.  They are only human, and you can't expect them to be mind-readers.  Let them know what you thought of their actions, instead of only sharing it with school board members.  Your message will carry much more weight coming directly from You.